Boxscore

MONROE - Louisiana Tech's 15 hits and Jackson State's five errors helped lift the Techsters to a 15-4 victory during its first game of the Louisiana-Monroe Mardi Gras Classic Friday afternoon.

The game was called in the fifth inning due to the eight-run rule.

After starting the bottom of the first inning down two runs, Tech (3-5) came back to score three runs in its first at bat before exploding for seven more runs in the second, taking a 10-3 lead. Tech completed the victory by scoring two more runs in the third and three in the fourth.

?Our challenge to the girls is to always be aggressive at the plate, and sometimes that might take an inning,? said Techster head coach Sarah Dawson. ?But I?m most proud of them today for having good discipline at the plate and swinging at good pitches in the zone.?

Freshman outfielder Emma Barnes led the team with four hits and two runs batted in. Sophomore second baseman Rochelle Sandberg contributed three hits and three RBIs, while catcher Christine Echols and junior Carly White both registered two hits. Freshman outfielder Danielle Sheridan added two RBIs.

?Hitting is very contagious, and I think that?s a major factor with this team,? Dawson said. ?We have to continue to be aggressive, stay focused and get our confidence where it needs to be.?

Sophomore pitcher Lesley Aycock (2-2) picked up the win, allowing only five hits, four runs and two walks in 5.0 innings of play.

Tech returns to action tonight at 8:30 as they take on E. Illinois at the ULM Mardi Gras Classic.