University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Texas Tech
No. 24 Massachusetts Softball Defeats Texas Tech, 7-1
February 09, 2002 | Softball
Feb. 9, 2002
PHOENIX, Ariz.- Freshman Kelli Arnold led the University of Massachusetts softball team to a 7-1 victory over Texas Tech University this afternoon in day two of the Fiesta Bowl Classic. Arnold combined six strikeouts and four walks to hold the Red Raiders to one run.
UMass jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on hits by seniors Teri Rooney (Visalia, Calif.) and Ashley Bakken (Phoenix, Ariz.) and juniors Kaila Holtz (North Vancouver, B.C.) and Aisha Franke (Philadelphia, Pa.).
The Minutewomen extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second as junior Emily Robustelli (Stamford, Conn.) laced a ball into right field. She was moved to second on a sacrifice and third on a deep fly ball to center field. After a hit batsman, Robustelli scored as Scooter Wheeler (Kingsburg, Calif.) drew a throw to second base on a delayed steal.
Texas Tech got on the board in the third inning as Eva Harshman and Tracy Cartier delivered back-to-back singles. Kristi Robles flew out to right field to score Harshman.
The UMass offense manufactured three more runs through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings as it used the short game to advance runners around the bags. Robustelli demonstrated UMass' ability to hit deep, however, in the bottom of the sixth as she led off the inning with a solo shot over the right field fence.
The win improves the Minutewomen's record to 3-0 as the Red Raiders drop to 3-5 on the season. UMass takes the field again this afternoon for a 3:30 p.m. game against UNLV.
-UMASS-
