Texas Tech Edges Jayhawks, 1-0
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Junior hurler Alicia Pille tossed her eighth complete game of the season, but a solo home run spoiled Pille’s shutout as Texas Tech edged the Jayhawks, 1-0, Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark.
“Pille threw the ball well and I am really proud of the way she fought today,” said head coach Megan Smith. “After throwing the ball well last night, you get nervous about fatigue, but that wasn’t the case today. She was sharp and went at the batters. She threw a great game and, unfortunately, the offense wasn’t there today.”
Pille, a native of Royse City, Texas, threw three hitless innings before the Red Raiders were able to take the lead. She struck out the side in the top of the second and totaled seven K’s in her 17th start of 2014. The junior limited TTU’s offense to three hits.
“Pille did a great job and has been throwing the ball well lately,” said second baseman Ashley Newman. “I wish we could’ve done more for her on the offensive side.”
Kansas (29-16, 3-6 Big 12) scattered three hits in the final game of the series.
In the third inning, Texas Tech had the go ahead run on third base, but Pille worked her way out of the inning preserving her no-hitter. The Jayhawks followed suit by getting a runner to third base in the bottom half of the inning, but she was thrown out at home and the game remained scoreless.
Designated player Cassie McClure fought off several of Pille’s pitches in the fourth inning. A dropped foul ball kept her alive in the batter’s box before hitting a home run to left centerfield, which gave the Red Raiders the lead, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth frame, TTU threatened to add insurance runs with a leadoff double. Newman snagged a line drive on the next play and ran to second base for the double play.
Freshman Taylor McElhaney led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single to put the game-tying run aboard. She advanced to second before Texas Tech retired the side clinching the win, 1-0.
UP NEXT
The Jayhawks hit the road for a three-game series at Baylor April 25-27 in Waco, Texas. The series begins on Friday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m.
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