LAS VEGAS — Cara Custer pitched seven strong innings, and the Texas Tech softball team won its fourth straight on Saturday, taking a pair of games at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic at Stephanie Craig Park.
Custer (4-3) scattered a run on five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts to lead the Red Raiders to a 5-1 win over Portland State.
Tech got all the runs it would need with a five-run first inning, highlighted by home runs from Sandy James and Adriana Perez. James ripped a three-run blast to put Tech on top early, then Perez followed with a solo shot in the very next at-bat. Taylor Powell then added an RBI double to finish off the inning.
That chased Portland State starter Karmen Holladay after just 1/3 of an inning. She left allowing five earned runs on four hits and two walks.
Earlier in the day, Tech got another big first inning, while Kelsey Dennis tossed 41/3 innings of solid relief for an 8-4 victory over Idaho State.
Dennis scattered three hits and a walk while striking out five to earn her first victory of the season.
This time it was Mikey Kenney with the power display, a solo shot to lead four players with at least one RBI. Holley Gentsch added a two-run double.
Tech will be back in action at the tournament at 11 a.m. today to take on DePaul followed by a game against Utah State.
Game 1
TEXAS TECH 8, IDAHO STATE 4
Idaho State 004 000 0 — 4 8 3
Texas Tech 410 030 x — 8 9 1
Douglas, Fitzsimmons (1), Ott (3), Rayner (5) and Galasso; Moore, Dennis (3) and Gentsch. W—Dennis (1-0). L—Douglas (0-2). 2B—Bledsoe, Richardson, Gentsch. HR—Galasso, Kenney.
Game 2
TEXAS TECH 5, PORTLAND STATE 1
Texas Tech 500 000 0 — 5 7 0
Idaho State 100 000 0 — 1 5 1
Custer and Allen; Holladay, Bertrand (1) and Sholian. W—Custer (4-3). L—Holladay (0-2). 2B—Powell. HR—James, Perez.
