LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech snapped a three-game slide Thursday night with a 4-1 victory over Georgia Southern in the first game of the 2016 Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic at Rocky Johnson Field.
“I think we came out strong,” said head Texas Tech softball coach Adrian Gregory. “They held us and put zeros on the board through the fourth, but I thought we had competitive at-bats. I think it was huge for us to get this first win.”
The Red Raiders (11-15) were anchored by junior pitcher Mattison Maisel, who threw a complete game Thursday night. The Spring, Texas, native tossed seven innings and gave up only one run on four hits.
“I think this really started on Monday,” said Maisel of bouncing back from the A&M series. “Coach Locke came in and we were working on a lot of different things. This was all about trusting yourself, trusting the plan that the coaches had for us and just being calm.”
The Eagles threatened early, advancing runners into scoring position with just one out in the first inning, but Maisel and the Red Raider defense would get out of the inning without giving up a run. This was the first game in the last four appearances that Texas Tech was able to hold their opponents off the board in the first frame.
Following four scoreless innings, the Red Raiders finally scratched across the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth. Catcher Susan Welborn led off the inning with a walk, prompting Gregory to bring Camaury Washington in to pinch run on first. Washington quickly stole second and advanced to third on an Ashley Fultz ground out. Freshman Kiani Ramsey brought Washington in from third with a sacrifice bunt to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead heading to the sixth.
The Red Raiders would not let off the gas, bringing in three more runs on two hits in the bottom of the sixth to carry a 4-0 lead into the final frame.
The Eagles picked up their fourth hit, and first score, of the game in the seventh as pinch hitter Macy Weeks connected on her second home run of the season to pull the score to 4-1. Maisel gathered herself and picked up the final out of the game with a groundout to Brooke Scott at shortstop.
“I think Maisel just competes,” said Gregory. “Our kids make plays behind her. You never question how she is going to come out to start a game. She is always going to come out and compete. I really think that she sets the tone for our group.”
With the win, the Red Raiders improved to 2-0 all-time against Georgia Southern dating back to the 2001 season. The win also moved Maisel to 4-5 on the year. The Red Raiders also improved to 26-2 all-time at the Jeannine McHaney Classic.
