Softball: Lackluster performance, but Sooners beat Tech 4-2

[Plainosooner]

Texas Tech is now 4-12 in the Big XII with three wins over Iowa State and one against KU. This is their last conference series, so we're really hoping they end up 4-14. But the Sooners offense was as anemic as it has been against good pitchers. Two in the fourth and two in the fifth.

They did have a bases loaded chance after the first two in the fourth, but their second baseman made a a diving catch to end the inning on a line drive.

Leading 4-0, Paige Lowary allowed two runs and left with the tying runs on in the bottom of the fifth. Mariah Lopez entered and got the second out on a bouncer to Caleigh Clifton, which sent the runners to second and third. Then she allowed a walk, but then got a strike out to end the fifth, Then she struck out all three batters in the sixth and the first in the seventh. Tech got one hit, but Lopez got the last eight outs of the game, six by strikeout. When the starter goes four and a third, not sure who gets the win.

OU sent eight to the plate in the fourth, but left the three stranded, then Knighten led off the fifth with a homerun to center. Mendes, batting sixth, reached base in all four at bats. One was called an error, but on a bunt, she was beating the second baseman to the bag, and the throw beat both of them, going into right field. Mendes got to second, but it was called an error.

But the Sooners did nothing in the first three innings and nothing in the last two, against a team that has been giving up a lot of runs. But Tech mostly played pretty good defense. Game two is Saturday at 4 p.m. The only tv for any of the three games of the series, is a premium on Tech's official site network, which includes no broadcaster voices. Only video.

 

[mcbrider]

Texas Tech is now 4-12 in the Big XII with three wins over Iowa State and one against KU. This is their last conference series, so we're really hoping they end up 4-14. But the Sooners offense was as anemic as it has been against good pitchers. Two in the fourth and two in the fifth.

They did have a bases loaded chance after the first two in the fourth, but their second baseman made a a diving catch to end the inning on a line drive.

Leading 4-0, Paige Lowary allowed two runs and left with the tying runs on in the bottom of the fifth. Mariah Lopez entered and got the second out on a bouncer to Caleigh Clifton, which sent the runners to second and third. Then she allowed a walk, but then got a strike out to end the fifth, Then she struck out all three batters in the sixth and the first in the seventh. Tech got one hit, but Lopez got the last eight outs of the game, six by strikeout. When the starter goes four and a third, not sure who gets the win.

OU sent eight to the plate in the fourth, but left the three stranded, then Knighten led off the fifth with a homerun to center. Mendes, batting sixth, reached base in all four at bats. One was called an error, but on a bunt, she was beating the second baseman to the bag, and the throw beat both of them, going into right field. Mendes got to second, but it was called an error.

But the Sooners did nothing in the first three innings and nothing in the last two, against a team that has been giving up a lot of runs. But Tech mostly played pretty good defense. Game two is Saturday at 4 p.m. The only tv for any of the three games of the series, is a premium on Tech's official site network, which includes no broadcaster voices. Only video.

Thanks again for the brilliant report. I was at the game and was as disappointed as you were of final score. Isn't softball and baseball a strange game. They beat the sh$t out of Tech the next two games. Reminds me of the 1960 World Series when the New York Yankees set a record for runs scored but still lost the series. You know why the the Yankees lost? Because the umpires gave the Pirates a wider strike zone.

 

[mcbrider]

Thanks again for the brilliant report. I was at the game and was as disappointed as you were of final score. Isn't softball and baseball a strange game. They beat the sh$t out of Tech the next two games. Reminds me of the 1960 World Series when the New York Yankees set a record for runs scored but still lost the series. You know why the the Yankees lost? Because the umpires gave the Pirates a wider strike zone.

Wow Plaino, for someone who claims to be such an expert on softball/baseball you come up with some of the dumbest Sh&t imaginable. Sometimes Plaino you just miss! Sometimes Plaino your timing is just a bit off! When this happens you have a 4-2 win. Don't call it lackluster- it is the way the game is played!! Two years ago OU was run ruled by Baylor and then run ruled Baylor . Even if you are playing inferior competition you don't always put up the big numbers

 

[Plainosooner]

Thanks again for the brilliant report. I was at the game and was as disappointed as you were of final score. Isn't softball and baseball a strange game. They beat the sh$t out of Tech the next two games. Reminds me of the 1960 World Series when the New York Yankees set a record for runs scored but still lost the series. You know why the the Yankees lost? Because the umpires gave the Pirates a wider strike zone.

My guess is that you weren't born in 1960. I remember that series well. The Pirates won because they had a relief pitcher who could get the Yankees out in the wins, and I believe the baseball term "save" was created because of what Roy Face, all 5'8 of him, did against the Yankees in that series. Retroactively, Face ended his career with the second most saves ever, behind only Hoyt Wilhelm. Topps used to have a baseball card for each game of the previous year's series in each set. "Face Saves The Day," was either the game four or game five card headline. He saved games one, four and five and Danny Murtaugh didn't waste his talents in the Yankee 10-0, 12-0 and 16-3.

The ability of Roy Face to keep the Pirates in the series, was the difference in the series, but it was historically overlooked because in game seven, Hal Smith's three run homer, and then Bill Mazeroski's B9 Series clincher, got all of the notoriety. That is why the Pirates won the series, with a little help from a bad hop on a double play ball four batters before Smith's homer, and Casey Stengel's botching of pitching selection for the series. At least according to M Charles Mantle. And Mazeroski. But then you'd know more than them, because you're the expert.

If in college softball, the home strike zones against SEC teams at their place aren't an issue, then this battle for a top eight seed really doesn't matter much. We find such "home cookin" pretty common in the non major sports. It's so recognized in gymnastics, because road scoring is used for rankings in a way that home scoring isn't, because the preferences are well known. Taking care of the home team helps those calling the games get invited back next season. It's a college softball tradition. Sadly.