Cowgirls Fall to No. 24 Texas Tech, 2-1

Monday, May 7

Lubbock, Texas

4:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

Texas Tech

May 07, 2012 | Cowgirl Softball

May 7, 2012

Final Stats

Lubbock, Texas — Oklahoma State pitcher Kat Espinosa gave up just one earned run, but an unearned run proved costly as the Cowgirls fell to the 24th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders 2-1 here Monday afternoon in Big 12 softball action.

The Cowgirl pitcher scattered three hits while walking three and striking out two. The first run came in the bottom of the first when the Red Raiders led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch. A fielder's choice was followed by a base hit by Mikey Kenny. With runner's at first and second, both advanced on a wild pitch by Espinosa. Tech designated player Adriana Perez hit a high fly ball to right field, allowing Logan Hall to score on the sacrifice fly.

Texas Tech made it 2-0 in the second. Emily Cooper led off the frame with a walk. The Red Raider stole second, and advanced to third when Cowgirl catcher Taylor Woodall's throw sailed into right center. Cooper then scored on a base hit by Raven Richardson.

Oklahoma State had a runner in the first and second innings, but neither advanced past first base. However, in the third, the Cowgirls had runners on second and third with one out thanks to a walk, a base hit by Shelby Davis and a sacrifice bunt by Kelsey Anchors. Ari Morrison appeared to score on a groundout by Tamara Brown, but the home plate umpire ruled that the bat hit the ball twice, resulting in a dead ball. On the next pitch, Brown grounded to first, but Sandy James threw home instead, and Holley Gentsch tagged Morrison out at the plate. A walk issued to Julie Ward loaded the bases once again, but Tech pitcher Cara Custer forced Chelsea Garcia to fly out to end the threat.

The Cowgirls rallied in the fifth inning as Davis singled for her second hit of the game. With one out, Brown walked, brining Ward to the plate. During the at-bat, Davis was caught too far off second, and Gentsch threw to second. The speedy Davis stole third, and Brown advanced to second on the play. Garcia hit a hard grounder deep in the hole to the left of shortstop, allowing Davis to score and cutting the lead in half at 2-1.

Oklahoma State fell to 25-22 overall this season and 8-13 in Big 12 Conference action. The Cowgirls will travel to Columbia, Mo., next weekend for a three-game series with the 10th-ranked Missouri Tigers, beginning on Friday with a 6 pm game.