Arizona exploits pitching disparity to finish off Tech

TUCSON, Ariz. - Texas Tech coach Shanon Hays didn't need to look far to determine what his program needs to get to the next level of college softball. She was standing in the circle for the opponent.

"That dominant pitcher is what we need," Hays said following Sunday's 10-2, six-inning loss to Arizona in the NCAA regional final at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium. "When our pitching is on, with our hitting, that's when we beat good teams."

The Red Raiders' potent lineup had no answer for Arizona sophomore pitcher Kenzie Fowler, who allowed three hits and managed to navigate a tight strike zone that four Tech pitchers couldn't figure out. Though Fowler struck out only three she also walked three, as opposed to the 10 free passes allowed by Red Raider arms.

"When there's a small zone, the girl with the better stuff usually comes out on top," Hays said. "Arizona did a great job not swinging at those borderline pitches."

Arizona also managed 10 hits, scoring two runs apiece in the second, third and fourth innings before plating four in the sixth to enact the eight-run rule. A two-run homer in the sixth by No. 9 hitter Bailie Kirker sealed the deal for the Wildcats, who won a regional for the 23rd time in 24 seasons.

The outcome could have been completely different had Tech (42-16) managed to capitalize on a first-inning threat against Fowler (26-7). The Red Raiders had runners on the corners with two but Fowler got junior Raven Richardson - the team's most consistent hitter in the regional with six hits, including two home runs - to fly out to right field.

"It's big in a game like that if you

can score early and draw some blood," Hays said.

Arizona then took control in the top of the second, going up 2-0 on a solo home run by junior Lini Koria and a two-out rally that included a bases-loaded walk.

The Wildcats scored on a double by Koria and a bloop single by junior Karissa Buchanan in the third inning for a 4-0 lead, while a hit batter and a walk with the bases loaded led to Arizona's two runs in the fourth.

Tech got its runs on a solo homer from Richardson in the fourth and a sixth-inning RBI single from junior Holley Genstch.

Junior Kelsey Dennis (13-6) got the loss, allowing two runs in 12/3 innings, and none of her relief fared any better. Freshman Brittany Talley, who saved both of the Red Raiders' wins Saturday, walked six and allowed four runs in two innings. Sophomore Ashley Brokeshoulder also gave up four runs in two innings before seldom-used junior Karli Merlich finished the game by allowing a walk in one-third of an inning.

While Hays raved about Arizona's Fowler, Tech's players weren't nearly as in awe. Richardson felt she and her teammates should have been able to handle Fowler's stuff after seeing equally tough hurlers throughout the Big 12 Conference season. Junior Logan Hall, a Tucson native who regularly faced fellow Tucsonan Fowler in high school, said the Red Raiders had a plan of attack at the plate but just didn't come through.

Tech's season ended in the same spot it did in 2010, as last year's squad fell in the regional final at Stanford.

Hall, one of eight juniors expected to return for 2012, said she expects even more success for the Red Raiders next year.

"All we can do is get better from here," she said. "We can only go up right now from where we're at."

NCAA REGIONAL

at Tucson, Ariz.

ARIZONA 10, TEXAS TECH 2

Arizona 022 204 - 10 10 0

Texas Tech 000 101 - 2 5 0

Fowler and Chambers; Dennis, Talley (2), Brokeshoulder (4), Merlich (6) and Gentsch. W-Fowler (25-8). L-Dennis (13-6). 2B-Arizona, Del Ponte, Koria. HR-Arizona, Koria (16), Kirker (5); Texas Tech, Richardson (11). Records: Arizona 43-16, Tech 42-16.