Boxscore

MONROE ? Louisiana Tech surrendered two early unearned runs which ultimately spelled doom as the Lady Techsters fell 3-2 to Mississippi Valley State Sunday in the consolation game of the Louisiana-Monroe Mardi Gras Classic.

Tech (7-4) wasted an admirable pitching effort from sophomore Krissi Oliver (4-2), who took the loss despite striking out 10 batters and allowing only one earned run in the complete game performance.

?We have to learn that we can?t afford to give away outs,? said Tech head coach Sarah Dawson. ?We talk and talk about giving the other team only 21 outs every game, but we still haven?t been able to consistently accomplish that goal. When we do, we will become a much better team.?

Mississippi Valley State (2-8) plated single unearned runs in each of the first two innings to take an early lead.

After the Devilettes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Tech answered as sophomore centerfielder Emma Barnes registered her first collegiate home run, a blast that sailed just over the centerfield fence, tying the score at 1-1.

However, MVSU answered in the top of the second, scoring another unearned run thanks to a pair of Louisiana Tech errors.

Candi Shumpert made the score 3-1 with a solo home run off of Oliver in the top of the fifth inning.

The Lady Techsters scratched for a run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Summer Young?s infield single with two outs plated pinch runner Sarah Offut, cutting the Devilettes lead in half.

However, Natasha Henderson retired Tech in order in the bottom of the seventh inning to register her second win of the season.

Barnes, Danielle Sheridan and Young each registered two hits for Tech in the loss.

The Lady Techsters return to action with a 3 p.m. doubleheader against Texas Arlington Wednesday at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.