Lubbock, TX — In the fourth-ever matchup between Texas Tech and Marist softball, the Lady Raiders defeated the Red Foxes 10-3 in the opening round of the Lubbock Regional. Marist jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI knock by sophomore infielder Sienna Kunze, but four errors and self-inflicted mistakes permitted Texas Tech to score nine consecutive runs to seize control of the contest.
“We made some mistakes today that I wish we didn’t make,” said Marist head coach Joe Ausanio. “We gave them extra outs and you can’t do that at this level.”
After surrendering one run on two hits in the first inning, junior pitcher/utility Kaitlyn Terry held the Red Foxes hitless over the next three innings. Terry picked up her 23rd win of the season; she induced lots of weak contact and struck out five along the way. Terry was one of five Lady Raiders to record at least two hits.
Texas Tech showcased disciplined approaches, taking pitches out of the zone and spoiling pitches around the edges. The team also tallied a season-high seven stolen bases. The lineup made graduate student pitcher Ava Metzger work for each out; despite allowing six runs in two innings, she provided more of a challenge than her line suggests.
“I thought she kept us off balance,” said Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco. “She moved the curveball in and out, and then she went up and down. I didn’t feel like we ever got totally comfortable on her. She did a good job.”
The Red Foxes played poor, uncharacteristic outfield defense; senior outfielder Peyton Pusey—normally very sure-handed and heady in center field—committed two errors that led directly to two Lady Raider runs.
To compete with a team like Texas Tech, limiting mistakes is a non-negotiable. In the second inning with the score leveled at one, junior outfielder Logan Halleman dropped down a two-out bunt single and proceeded to steal second base a few pitches later. Senior catcher Isabella Manory’s throw went into center field and instead of pocketing the softball, Pusey attempted to throw Halleman out at third. Pusey’s throw got past Kunze at third base, allowing Halleman to break the tie.
Halleman had only started eight games prior to Friday, but made sure to stay ready for her opportunity. She stole three bases in the game, a team-high.
“During practice, we all work so hard and we practice game-like situations, so I think having my teammates push me in practice helps,” said Halleman.
The top of the Lady Raider lineup used the momentum swing to their advantage and generated two more runs to extend their lead. Terry helped herself out with an RBI double over freshman utility McKenna Manley’s head in left field; Terry moved up 60 feet to third base on the throw, which allowed junior infielder Mia Williams’ bunt single to plate Texas Tech’s fourth run of the game.
Redshirt junior infielder Taylor Pannell’s two-run home run in the third jumpstarted a five-run inning that put the game out of reach. Redshirt sophomore pitcher Stella Blanchard relieved Metzger, and the Lady Raiders utilized their speed to lengthen their lead. Senior outfielder Mihyia Davis’ infield single plated another run and Pusey’s dropped ball error in center field allowed the Lady Raiders to take a commanding 9-1 lead.
“I love coaching the speed game,” Glasco said. “That’s why I thought we’d put Logan in; I thought we could kick that up a little bit and cause more chaos.”
Down to its final strike, Marist tacked on two runs off sophomore pitcher Samantha Lincoln to avoid Texas Tech from picking up its 37th run-rule win of the season. On the 10th pitch of the at-bat, graduate student infielder Haley Ahr rocketed a two-RBI double just out of the reach of Davis in center field. In response, Terry and Williams swatted back-to-back doubles to make it 10-3, but Williams got tagged out in a rundown to take the winning run out of scoring position with zero outs.
“For us to play that complete game and continue fighting is what Marist softball is all about,” Ausanio said.
Lincoln finished the contest by hurling two scoreless innings after conceding the two-RBI double; the sophomore’s fastball got up to as firm as 71 miles per hour while flashing solid off-speed stuff to keep the Red Foxes off balance.
The Red Foxes will look to rebound and keep their season alive against Boston University on Saturday. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. Eastern.
Edited by Max Rosen
Graphic and photo by Jaylen Rizzo
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