 "Photo: Sam Grenadier")
The Red Raiders tried to create their own luck by wearing all red.
Entering the day, the Texas Tech softball team was 6-1 when donning the all-scarlet uniforms, but the Red Raiders failed to produce a run in the team's 1-0 loss in the second game of the doubleheader against New Mexico after beating the Lobos 4-3 in game 1 Monday at Rocky Johnson Field.
Tech starting pitcher Alex Watkins (1-5) pitched herself in and out of jams in the first, third and fourth innings, but gave up a solo home run to Lindsey Ecless in the top of the sixth. Her run proved to be the only scoring either team could muster in the game.
"We thought we could get away with a low fastball," Watkins said of the pitch Ecless hit for a home run. "We got her to swing at some high pitches and we thought we could sneak it by her. She surprised us all, and I guess we all know what she did with it. It ended up being the only outcome of the game."
Madelyn Machac (5-4) started for the Lobos (23-20), going five innings and giving up no runs on seven hits and two walks.
There were several innings when Tech (21-34) had runners in scoring position, but never managed to bring one across.
Tech coach Teresa Wilson said this game has "no bearing" on the team's outlook for Big 12 Conference play or the goal for a .500 winning percentage, because the team is 13 games under .500 with two games remaining before the conference tournament.
"We had plenty of opportunities and got some good innings for our pitchers and just had some opportunities and didn't have some balls drop," Wilson said. "If I had to choose a time to have a little luck on our side, it would definitely be the Big 12 games."
One of those opportunities came in the bottom of the seventh inning with Leah Legler on second base and no outs. Tech outfielder Montana Patin, who had four hits during the two games, popped the ball up behind the second baseman, but the fielder recovered, making a snow cone grab and doubled up Legler at second.
"We came out and we were a little flat today, but it's something all teams go through," Patin said. "We're going to take this and we're gonna practice this week and get ready for Ok. State because that's when it really matters. This is a non-conference game. Yeah, we did struggle, but some good things did happen today."
In the first game, Tech fell behind 1-0 early, but that did not last long. Megan Shupp tied the game with a home run to left in the bottom of the second inning.
The Red Raiders added a run in the third before New Mexico's Katie Gilmore answered by sending her own big fly over the left field fence to tie the game.
Patin knocked in the final two runs for Tech, including the game-winning run on her first career triple to the right-center. She went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and three RBIs in the game.
Sarah Losleben (4-3) earned the win, throwing five innings in relief of starter Tye Coats. Losleben gave up two runs - one earned - on two hits and two walks while striking out a season-high seven batters.
"Sarah Losleben threw very well the first game when she came in and had a good mix of her breaking pitches - off-speed pitches," Wilson said. "(She) had good location and I was really pleased with the way she threw in a relief appearance last week against Iowa State, so hopefully this will be a good thing for her."
UNM starter Kelly Ninemire (15-13) threw a complete game, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks along with two strike outs.
Tech is scheduled to play Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. Saturday at Rocky Johnson Field.
Be the first to comment on this article!