In their final home stand, the Texas Tech softball team took two out of three games against Iowa State at Rip Griffin Park.
On Friday night, the Red Raiders scored a season-high eight runs in the first inning as they destroyed the Cyclones, 15-0, in five innings via run-rule. It was the largest margin of victory over a Big 12 opponent in school history for Tech.
Tech got four home runs combined from Kierra Miles, Cassie McClure, Lea Hopson, and Gretchen Aucoin.
“It’s always nice when you can jump out to an early lead like that,” Tech coach Shanon Hays said Friday. “We talked all week long about getting after the pitching staff early and I thought that was really key tonight.”
According to Tech Athletics, Miles, who also had a double and four RBI, got her fifth home run in the first inning. McClure and Aucoin hit back-to-back homers in the second inning. Then Hopson hit the last one to left field on a three-run shot.
Aucoin, who pitched all five innings, got the win, gave up no runs, two hits, and added five strikeouts. Last week, Aucoin earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Week and each of the wins during the five-game winning streak that led up to Friday night.
On Saturday, Iowa State scored four runs in the third inning as well as sixth in the sixth as they spoiled Senior Day, beating Tech, 13-9, to end the Red Raiders’ five-game losing streak.
Hays said poor pitching and defense had a lot to do with it.
“Nine runs should be enough to win in the Big 12,” Hays said on Saturday. “We didn’t play very good defense today and just gave up too many runs. I thought we gave ourselves a chance with base runners, but you just can’t strand that many people like we did and win the game.”
Cyclones sophomore Aly Cappaert hit six RBI, including a two-run single in the first inning before hitting a three-run homer in the sixth, her 10th of the year.
Junior Lexi Slater also helped the Cyclones’ cause, scoring four runs, a home run, a double, and three RBI.
Tech had previously shut out its opponent over the past 12.1 innings coming into the game. It was the first time Tech had lost despite scoring at least nine runs as they did losing to South Florida, 15-9, on Feb. 27, 2009, according to Tech Athletics.
McClure hit 3-for-5 with two RBI as she was one of three Red Raiders to have a multiple-hit game to go with freshman Sydni Emanuel and sophomore Kady Crow.
Tech starting pitcher Brittany Talley (9-2) took the loss, pitching just three innings while giving up five runs and seven hits. It was her first loss since mid-March and only her second of the year in her 28 appearances.
Talley was joined alongside Taylor Powell and Marisa Malazzo on the field after the game as they were recognized as part of Tech’s annual Senior Day celebration.
On Sunday in the rubber match, Aucoin pitched her third-straight complete game and hit three RBI, including a home run, as Texas Tech dominated Iowa State, 10-1, in five innings via run-rule.
The victory gave Tech (35-16, 8-7) its third-straight series win, who have now won seven of their last nine games.
Tech limited Iowa State (22-25-1, 2-10) to only three hits after giving up 16 on Saturday.
“I was proud of how we responded after yesterday,” Hays said after picking up his 300th career win. “We really challenged this group to come back and win the series which was big for our postseason chances. We hit the ball well really all series and then made enough plays to get a big win.”
Aucoin (14-7), who pitched in strong wind conditions, said being able to do well on the mound and in the batter’s box is great to do.
“It’s just probably the best thing to benefit the team both on defense and on offense,” Aucoin said. “It’s just one of the days that you can’t ask for.”
In the fourth inning, sophomore Samantha Camello followed Aucoin’s solo shot with a two-run homer of her own. Miles and Crow added RBI singles in the four-run inning. Tech is 20-0 this year when scoring four or more runs in an inning.
Paris Imholz (4-9) took the loss in her third start of the weekend, giving up 10 runs, six of which were earned, and nine hits.
The Red Raiders will close the regular season in an important three-game series at Oklahoma. The first pitch of the series starts at 6:30 at Marita Hynes Field in Norman.
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