April 15, 2008
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Louisiana Tech will make a trip south to face McNeese State in a softball doubleheader Wednesday starting at 4 p.m.
At 24-23, the Lady Techsters are in pursuit of the program's first winning season since 1999. Tech has nine games remaining in its regular season plus the Western Athletic Conference Tournament which will be held May 8-10 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
With six WAC regular season games remaining, including three at home this weekend against Utah State and three on the road against Top 25 Nevada the following weekend, Tech knows every one of these games is important.
The Lady Techsters are coming off a three-game series against Top 25 Fresno State this past week in which Tech upset the 12th ranked Bulldogs 5-3 in game one and put a scare into them falling 1-0 in game three.
Junior hurler Krissi Oliver (11-11) had a solid week in the circle for Tech, going 2-1 with a 0.79 earned run average. Oliver continues to lead a Lady Techster staff that has registered a much-improved 2.39 earned run average this season.
Offensively, Amberly Waits continues her assault on the Tech record books. The sophomore shortstop has already broken the Tech single season total base record with 103 (old mark was 98 set by Ashley Cameron in 2005) and has a shot at numerous other single season records.
Kylie Bassett (.333, 3 HR, 17 RBI), Emma Barnes (.297, 14 SB, 32 runs), Regan Clark (.273, 3 HR, 29 RBI) and Oliver (.262, 3 HR, 21 RBI) have also provided offensive production.
McNeese State (17-30) has struggled this season but has posted a winning record at home, winning nine of 16 games. The Cowgirls have hit 18 home runs on the year but are a serious threat on the base paths, having stolen 76 bases out of 102 attempts.
Jenny Clay (.372, 5 HR, 21 RBI) is one of a number of potential base stealing threats having stolen 16-of-25 while teammates Molly Guidry (20-22), Liz Morvant (12-14) and Holly Long (10-12) have all stolen at least 10 bases.
In the circle Michelle LaVoie is the top pitcher, having registered a 9-12 mark with a 3.82 earned run average.
Tech fans can follow all the action live by logging onto www.latechsports.com and following Game-tracker.
