February 28, 1999

Las Cruces, N.M. -

The Texas Tech softball team (12-10), coming off yesterday's 2-0 start in the Troy Cox Softball Classic, returned to the diamond today where they fell to Penn State 2-1 and defeated Butler 10-4 and Minnesota 5-0.

Against Penn State, the Red Raiders were led by senior Kim Martinez who homered in the fourth inning to bring her season home run total to five. Sophomore Amanda Renfro (6-5) took the loss for Texas Tech while Kelly McCann took the win for the Nittany Lions.

In game-two against Butler, Texas Tech stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning after junior Tamara Harrington hit a two RBI single that brought home Kim Martinez and Sandy Butler. In the third inning, Paula Workman hit a two RBI home run and the Raiders cruised to a 10-4 victory.

In the first game of tournament bracket play, Texas Tech sophomore Amanda Renfro (3 hits, 8 strikeouts, 1 walk) paced the team to a 5-0 victory over the University of Minnesota.

"I was really proud of our team today. They showed a lot of heart. We beat a really good team in Minnesota-they went to the Regionals last year. We are starting to click and I am really happy for the girls," said Tech head coach Renee Gillispie.

Tech will face the University of New Mexico at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday and the winner will advance to the championship game at noon.