TEMPE, Ariz.- Texas Tech University's (5-0) Emily Bledsoe crushed a homerun over the right field fence in the bottom of the seventh inning with one runner on to deny Appalachian State University softball (0-6) its first win of the 2011 campaign in the tournament finale of the Kajikawa Classic, defeating ASU, 10-9, on Sunday afternoon at the Tempe Sports Complex in Tempe, Ariz.
After scoring its first runs of the season in yesterday's games, the Mountaineers brought that momentum into Sunday's game with the Red Raiders.
Things started off rough for TTU pitcher Kelsey Dennis as she struggled with illegal pitches that allowed senior Katie Boyd to reach via a leadoff walk. After getting on, Boyd swiped her second base of the season on the next pitch. The Walkertown-native was award another base after Dennis threw another illegal pitch. Texas Tech head coach Shanon Hays argued the illegal pitches and was ejected from the game and after Dennis walked senior Sarah Rappe, a pitching change was prompted.
Rappe thieved her fifth base of the tournament, giving the Apps runners on second and third. Brittany Talley, who came in relief of Dennis, struggled with illegal pitches as well, allowing both Boyd and Rappe to walk around the bases to put ASU up 2-0. Sophomore Meghan Smith continued her hot hitting and singled through the right side of the field to give the Mountaineers their first hit of the contest. Sophomore Sheridan Phillips struck out for the first out of the inning, but Smith was allowed to go up a base on an illegal pitch. Senior Hannah Dow singled through the left field side, allowing Smith to get to third, but while making an attempt to get out Smith, Dow advanced to second. Smith's good fortune ran out as she was thrown out trying to steal home and junior Michelle Lighton struck out to end the Mountaineers' first frame.
The Red Raiders were only allowed to get one run in their half of the inning after Emily Bledsoe doubled home Mikey Kenney, who reached on a walk and was sacrificed over to second base by Stephanie Drewry.
Sophomore Allie Cashion started off the ASU second inning with a hot single to the TTU third baseman and was sacrificed over by redshirt junior Michelle Gorzelle. After junior Megan Rembielak and Boyd reached on a walk and fielders' choice, Rappe lifted a pitch over the right field fence for her first collegiate homerun, giving Appalachian a 5-1 cushion. ASU tacked on one more run and took a 6-1 lead into the bottom of the second.
TTU was not to be outdone as they added a three spot on the board, as well in its half of the inning to move the ASU lead to 6-4.
The Mountaineers relied on the long ball again in the third inning as Cashion crushed her first homerun of the season, giving the Black and Gold offense a 7-4 lead.
Texas Tech sprinkled in one run apiece in the fourth and fifth innings and at the top of the sixth inning, the Apps got back on the board, as well. Gorzelle singled right back up the middle and sophomore Hayley Grabner was put in to pinch run for Gorzelle. Rembielak sacrificed over Grabner and motored around and scored after Boyd laced a ball to second base, but the second base man was not able to make a play on it. Boyd stole second, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning for ASU.
The Mountaineers took an 8-6 lead into the top of the seventh and added one more for measure after Dow smashed her second home run of the weekend into dead center, giving ASU a 9-6 advantage heading into the final at bat for TTU.
In the final frame for the Red Raiders Holley Gentsch popped up to second base for the first out of inning, but Ashley Hamada singled into center field in the next at bat. Kenney doubled into right center and Hamada was halted on third base, giving Texas Tech runners on second and third. Drewry flew out to left field, scoring Hamada and cutting ASU's lead down to two runs. With Kenney advancing to third base, it was then that Bledsoe crushed the ball over the fence, crushing ASU's hope of gathering its first win of the season and winning the game for the Red Raiders.
Sophomore Frannie Seader (0-2), who came in relief of sophomore Louise Gibson, took the loss, while TTU's Ashley Brokeshoulder recorded her first win of the season.
The Black and Gold offense was paced by Dow with three hits and Smith and Cashion with two.
The Mountaineers continue their preseason slate as they head to the Georgia State Panther Invitational in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 19-20) for a three-game tournament.
