April 26, 2008

Box Score

LUBBOCK, Texas - Backed by a five-run first inning, Texas Tech softball blew by the Cyclones of Iowa State, 6-1, Saturday at Rocky Johnson Field. The win marked the 10th home win of the season for the Red Raiders, a new Rocky Johnson Field record. Montana Patin launched a towering two-run home run to give the Red Raiders an early lead they would not relinquish.

The first inning set the tone for Tech (19-33, 6-9) as it pulled ahead for the early lead. Leah Legler singled and was driven home by Patins' career-best seventh home run of the season, which made the score 2-0. Jennifer Corkin followed with a single to center field and was brought home on a triple by Jennifer Bowers to put the score at 3-0. Megan Shupp drew a two-out walk, and Elizabeth Eimen reached base on a catchers obstruction call. Both were driven home courtesy of a single by Whitney Riley to make the score 5-0 after the first inning.

Things remained quiet until the bottom of the fifth when the Red Raiders put another run on the board courtesy of a Patin double to score Legler from third and make the score 6-0.

ISU (26-24, 3-11) managed to get its only run of the day in the sixth on a home run by Sydni Jones to put the score at 6-1. Sarah Losleben came on in relief of Ashly Jacobs and struck out two in the top of the seventh to seal the game for Tech.

Patin went 2-3 on the day with three RBI. Legler and Riley each went 1-3, while Legler scored two runs and Riley drove in two. Robyn Wike saw her seven-game hitting streak snapped as she failed to record a hit. With the win, Ashley Jacobs improves to 9-14 on the year.

The Red Raiders will complete the series with Iowa State Sunday at noon. Fans can follow the action at www.texastech.com.