Boxscore I Boxscore II

Birmingham, Ala. - Louisiana Tech defeated Mississippi Valley State 3-2 in eight innings to advance to the championship game of the Birmingham Southern Tournament Sunday before falling 6-1 to Appalachian State in the title contest.

The Lady Techsters (14-15) scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning against Mississippi Valley State to win their fifth straight game at the tournament. Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the frame, Tech plated two runs on a game-winning single by second baseman Rochelle Sandberg.

With runners on second and third, Sandberg singled up the middle to score Jessica Elson and Leah Beasley with the game-winning runs.

Tech took a 1-0 lead in the game on a sixth-inning solo home run by sophomore Carly White over the right center wall. However, Mississippi Valley State tied the game up in the top of the seventh on a throwing error by Tech. The Delta Devils had an opportunity to win the game but Techster pitcher Lindsey Meadows retired the final three batters of the inning with the game-winning run on second base.

Meadows (10-9) picked up the win, pitching eight innings while allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out a career-high 14 batters.

Tech managed only three hits in the rain-shortened title game loss to Appalachian State. After Appalachian State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Tech tied the contest up in the bottom half of the frame.

Amber Miles led the inning off with a single and was sacrificed over to second base by Sandberg. After a walk and a fly out, Jessica Elson singled down the right field line to score Miles.

The game remained tied at 1-1 until Appalachian State scored four runs on five hits and one Tech error in the top of the fourth inning. The contest was called after the fifth inning due to inclement weather.

Freshman Leslie Aycock (3-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs - three earned - on four hits and three walks in 3.2 innings of work.

Tech returns home to face McNeese State Wednesday at 4 p.m.