OSU Softball: Cowgirls Fall To Texas Tech

Two home runs, including a three run shot from Lea Hopson, were too much for the Oklahoma State softball team to overcome on Sunday, as the Cowgirls fell to Texas Tech, 9-1, at Cowgirl Stadium.

Hopson's fourth-inning blast helped the Red Raiders jump out to a 4-0 lead in Sunday's contest, which ended after six innings due to run rule.

“We got behind early again today and weren't able to overcome it,” head coach Rich Wieligman said. “We've got to learn how to overcome those deficits and fight back to make things competitive.”

After scoring four in the first three frames, Texas Tech pounded out nine runs in the fifth and the sixth, leaving the Cowgirls (19-26, 3-8) in a 9-1 hole going into the bottom of the sixth. The Red Raiders were effective against OSU starter Jessi Haffner, who surrendered four earned runs and seven hits in the defeat.

Despite having to play from behind, Oklahoma State created multiple scoring opportunities against TTU starter Cara Custer. In the bottom of the first, Shianne Hughes reached first on an infield single and advanced to second on a failed double play attempt. Another mishap from the Texas Tech infield helped the Cowgirls load the bases with one out, but a fielder's choice and a fly out ended the threat.

In the fourth, Haffner led off with a scorching double down the leftfield line, eventually leading to OSU's only run of the ballgame. In the next at-bat, Miranda Cavin moved Haffner to third on a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Maddi Holcomb delivered a two-out single to short, allowing Haffner to score from third.

With an eight-run lead going into the bottom of the sixth, Custer and the Red Raiders held off the Cowgirls to earn the win and the series victory.