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.

Tech (26-23) came back in the nightcap to defeat the Cowgirls 9-1.

In the first game of the day, 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 (16-32) 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.

In the nightcap, Summer Young blasted a three-run home run over the left field wall to cap a four-run sixth-inning as Tech won 9-1.

Young took a full count pitch from McNeese State pitcher Candace Duhon and lined it over the left field wall giving Tech a comfortable lead.

Tech scored its four runs on four hits and one error in the frame.

The Lady Techsters added insurance in the top of the seventh inning, scoring four more runs on three hits.

Freshman hurler Meghan Krieg (5-2) earned the victory as she battled through control issues early in the game. She ended the game allowing only two hits, one run, and four walks while striking out a career-high nine in 6.0 innings of action.

Krieg walked four and hit another Cowgirl batter in the first two innings but limited the damage allowing only one run in those two innings. She settled down and retired the final 12 batters she faced, including seven on strikeouts.

Jordan Simmons came on in relief and retired three of the five batters she faced in the top of the seventh to end the game.

Barnes once again led the hit parade with three hits, while Sheridan, Clark, Kirby, and Elizabeth Franklin each added two hits.

Tech returns to action Friday with a 6 p.m. home game against Utah State.