Montana falls in 10 to No. 18 Texas Tech

Sunday, February 9

Metairie, La.

9 AM (MT)

Montana

4-1

Texas Tech

5-0

Texas Tech

Montana

2/9/2020 2:06:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

Because her team was in a rush to begin its travel back to Missoula on Sunday afternoon after an extra-inning game, Montana softball coach Melanie Meuchel was asked to describe the performance of her starting pitcher earlier in the day in just one word.

Turns out one was all-encompassing, no need for further elaboration: "Wow," is all Meuchel needed to say to sum up Tristin Achenbach's effort as Montana concluded play at the Big Easy Classic in Metairie, La.

The junior threw 10 dominant innings against No. 18 Texas Tech (5-0), allowing five hits and no earned runs while striking out nine as the Grizzlies (4-1) fell to the Red Raiders 2-1.

"She had an intensity and determination to her to compete with some of the best in the country. I'm really proud of her ability to really set a tone for us defensively," said Meuchel.

In a matchup of unbeatens, Montana and Texas Tech would combine for just nine hits over 10 innings, with Achenbach being matched by the Red Raiders' Missy Zoch and Erin Edmoundson.

The date may have said February but the game, with just one error committed, was played at a late-season, if not postseason, level.

"I don't think the game could have been played any cleaner," said Meuchel. "There weren't a lot of misplayed balls. Everything was close, every play was high-intensity for both sides."

Montana had the game's first big moment when sophomore Brooklyn Weisgram hit a one-out home run to left-center in the bottom of the fifth to open the scoring.

Texas Tech answered right back in the top of the sixth.

The Red Raiders loaded the bases with one out against Achenbach, on a single, an error and a hit-by-pitch, with preseason all-American Karli Hamilton due up.

Hamilton singled to center, driving in one. It was kept a one-run play when Weisgram came up firing and threw out the potential go-ahead run at the plate.

"It was a bang-bang play," said Meuchel. "It was a great read on a ball by Brooklyn, a great throw and a finish by (catcher Jessica McAlister)."

With a runner being placed on second to start each half-inning beginning in the eighth, Achenbach pitched her way out of a jam in the ninth.

With runners on second and third and one out, she struck out Breanna Russell in an at-bat that had eight foul balls. She ended the threat with a ground out.

Montana had the same opportunity in the bottom of the ninth as it sought to pick up its first win in program history over a ranked opponent.

With a runner starting on second, Texas Tech stayed away from Cami Sellers, walking the leadoff batter on four pitches. Morgan Johnson sacrificed both runners up a base for the first out.

Maygen McGrath grounded one to second and Texas Tech did the only thing it could do to extend the game. Kendall Curtis was tagged out at home in another bang-bang play.

With Sellers on third, the inning came to an end with a ground out.

The game's winning run was scored on another close play in the top of the 10th. With a runner on third and two outs, Heaven Burton grounded one to short and beat it out.

"It was one of the fastest kids in the country running down to first," said Meuchel of Burton, who led Texas Tech with 22 stolen bases last season.

Montana went down in order in the bottom of the 10th, its first loss of the season.

"Our team gave everything they had. It's something I've said all along: they are locked in," said Meuchel.

"They have a lot of skill and a lot of determination. They're excited to compete against anybody and ready to take on any challenge. I'm really proud of the opening-weekend effort all around."

Montana will play at UNLV's Marucci Desert Classic starting on Thursday evening against the host Rebels.