March 27, 2008

Box Score

RUSTON - Junior Krissi Oliver pitched a complete-game shutout victory over Nicholls State Thursday as the Lady Techsters downed the Colonels 4-0 in game one of a softball doubleheader.

Nicholls State came back to down Tech 3-1 in the nightcap.

In game No. 1, Oliver (7-8) scattered four hits while walking none and striking out four to pick up her seventh victory of the season, her fourth shutout win.

Tech scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning thanks to three hits and one Nicholls State error. The first run scored when Lyndsey McIlwain came home on an error by the Colonels third baseman and then Jessica Kirby followed with an RBI single to centerfield.

The Lady Techsters (18-16) scored two more runs in the bottom of the third inning as Amberly Waits launched her team-high sixth home run of the year, a two-run shot over the right centerfield wall making the score 4-0.

Tech had an opportunity to blow the game wide open in the bottom of the third loading the bases with no outs but Nicholls State reliever Lacey Gros struck out three straight batters to get out of the jam.

Oliver cruised through the seven innings with her only trouble coming in the top of the seventh. After a Waits error allowed the leadoff batter to reach, Amy Thibodeaux hit a double to left center to put runners on second and third with no outs.

However, Oliver refused to bend, retiring the next three batters to end the game.

Emma Barnes and Danielle Sheridan each registered two hits for Tech.

In the nightcap, Nicholls State capitalized on two costly Tech errors and a interference call on the Lady Techster dugout to win.

Both teams scored a single run in the first inning with Tech's coming on an RBI single by Regan Clark scoring Waits who had roped a two-out double.

The score remained 1-1 until the Colonels scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning. After a leadoff single, Tech starter Mandi Bertsch made an errant throw to second on a comebacker as the Colonels put runners on first and third.

Nicholls scored only one run off of Bertsch, but it was enough to take a 2-1 lead.

Tech had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners on first and second and only one out, Clark hit a line drive that Nicholls State shortstop Kat Harrell dove to stop.

Harrell's throw to third was offline and it appeared to score Barnes to tie the game. However, the throw hit a Tech player who was standing in the field of play by the dugout and the umpires ruled Barnes out on the play.

Kylie Bassett then popped up to end the inning with Tech still trailing 2-1.

Nicholls State then added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning as a fielding error by Tech rightfielder Lyndsey McIlwain allowed a Colonels runner to advance to third.

The runner scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-1.

Tech threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning as Danielle Sheridan singled and Amberly Waits walked with two outs. However, Clark grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Clark led Tech with two hits.

Bertsch (6-5) picked up the loss, allowing two runs - one earned - on four hits in 4.0 innings of work.

Tech returns to action Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against nationally-ranked Hawaii.