Boxscore

FRESNO, Calif. ? Fresno State erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to break open a close game and defeat Louisiana Tech 9-1 in Western Athletic Conference softball action Friday night.

The Bulldogs (37-16, 10-3 WAC) batted around in the frame, scoring seven runs on six hits off Tech starter Krissi Oliver (15-22).

Tech (20-31, 3-10 WAC) led 1-0 after plating a run in the top of the second inning. With one out in the frame, Kylie Basset walked and moved to second on a groundout by Regan Clark. Then with two outs, freshman Summer Young singled home Tech?s only run, giving the Lady Techsters the early lead.

Fresno State tied the game up in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI double by Merryann Barr, scoring Kristin Sylvester who led the frame off with a double.

The Bulldogs then erupted for seven runs in the fifth inning to take an 8-1 lead.

After giving up a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth inning, Oliver was pulled as Courtney Avery came on in relief for Tech. Avery walked her first batter to put runners on first and second before Sylvester doubled to score a run, ending the game due to the eight-run rule.

Young and Amberly Waits registered the only two hits of the game for Tech off Fresno State starter Robin Mackin, who struck out seven and walked three in the complete game performance.

The two teams return to action on Saturday when they meet in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. at Bulldog Diamond.