Feb. 13, 2008

Box Score

RUSTON - Sophomore Jessica Kirby recorded a career-high four RBI to lead Louisiana Tech to an 8-6 win over North Texas in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

After falling 1-0 in the first game of the day, Tech (3-3) head coach Sarah Dawson said she was pleased with her team's effort in the nightcap.

"We challenged our kids after the first game to play for pride," Dawson said. "They knew we weren't happy with their effort. We just told them to keep after it and to not get discouraged."

Kirby gave Tech an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of game No. 2 with a three-run home run to left field. Her blast came after Emma Barnes and Danielle Sheridan started the frame off with back-to-back singles.

"Jessica came up big for us in the first inning with the home run," said Tech head coach Sarah Dawson. "She did a great job in her next at bat as well. The pitch she hit for the home run was inside so they kept working her away in her second at bat and she went with the pitch and hit a double to the right center gap."

Tech upped its advantage to 4-0 in the first on an RBI double by Summer Young, scoring Kylie Bassett who had singled though the left side of the infield.

North Texas (3-3) responded by plating three runs in the top of the second inning - two unearned - off of Tech starter Mandi Bertsch to cut the lead to 4-3.

The Lady Techsters answered with single runs in the bottom of the second and third innings.

Danielle Sheridan recorded a one-out triple to deep centerfield and Kirby drove her home with a run-scoring double to right center.

In the bottom of the third inning, Heather Doiron drove home Summer Young with a sacrifice fly to right field making the score 6-3 Tech.

However, North Texas wouldn't go away quietly as the Mean Green tied the game at 6-6 by plating three runs on four hits in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman Meghan Krieg however stopped North Texas from taking the lead by coming on in relief of Jordan Simmons and getting the final two outs in the frame.

The game remained tied at 6-6 until the bottom of the sixth inning when Tech scored two runs on three hits. After Doiron and Barnes started the frame with back to back singles, North Texas retired the next two batters before Regan Clark followed with a single up the middle to load the bases.

Barnes scored the eventual game-winning run on a passed ball making the score 7-6. Tech would add an insurance run with a bases loaded walk by Bassett.

Krieg retired North Texas in order in the top of the seventh to earn her first collegiate win, allowing two hits and no walks in 3.2 innings of work.

"I was impressed with Meghan," Dawson said. "I didn't think Mandi or Jordan threw poorly, but I just think Meghan came in with more consistent movement - in and out and up and down. She did a great job of being composed in a tight situation and holding them scoreless until we could get our bats going again. I'm proud of her."

Young led Tech's 12-hit parade with three hits, while Barnes, Kirby and Sheridan each registered two.

Kristina Fowler (1-1) picked up the loss for North Texas in relief.