April 16, 2008

Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. - Junior Krissi Oliver tossed a five-hit shutout as Louisiana Tech defeated McNeese State 2-0 in the first game of a softball doubleheader at Cowgirl Diamond Wednesday.

Oliver (12-11) pitched her fifth shutout of the season, outdueling McNeese State's Bethany Stefinsky (3-10) who was the tough-luck loser despite allowing only six hits, two runs and zero walks while striking out eight.

The two teams were scoreless heading into the top of the sixth inning when Emma Barnes led off with a sharp single that Cowgirl shortstop Molly Guidry couldn't field.

After Danielle Sheridan successfully sacrificed Barnes to second, Amberly Waits tripled to deep right center scoring Barnes and giving Tech a 1-0 lead.

After Regan Clark struck out, Kylie Bassett came through in the clutch, lacing a 3-2 pitch to centerfield to score Waits and give the Lady Techsters a 2-0 advantage.

McNeese State put two runners on in the bottom of the sixth but Oliver enticed a ground ball to Waits who flipped the ball to second baseman Heather Doiron as Tech got out of the jam.

Oliver then retired McNeese State in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory.

Barnes led Tech with two hits while Waits, Bassett, Oliver and Jessica Kirby each registered one hit.