Tech (1-4) scored two runs in the third inning but couldn?t hold on for the victory against I-20 rival the University of Louisiana-Monroe as the Techsters dropped a close contest 4-2.

The game was Tech?s first battle of this weekend's ULM Mardi Gras Softball Classic.

?We came out and put the pressure on them early,? head coach Sarah Dawson said. ?The things that killed us today were the walks.?

Two Techster pitchers combined to limit ULM to three hits, but they also allowed eight walks.

The deciding runs of the game came in the fifth inning when the Lady Indians scored two runs on a bases loaded walk and a subsequent fielder?s choice play.

Freshman Kristin Rupp (0-3) took the loss going four plus innings and allowing four runs. Senior Marla Pinkston came in and pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

Tech had a two-run third inning lead when senior Casey Reiff had a sacrafice fly, driving in sophomore Amber Miles, followed by junior Jennifer LaRussa?s RBI double. Sophomore Brittany Stanley scored on the play.

Tech returns to action on Saturday when the Lady Techsters are scheduled to play three games.