May 2, 2008

Box Score

RUSTON - Kylie Bassett's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the bottom of the eighth inning scored Amberly Waits and gave Louisiana Tech a 5-4 win over Ole Miss in the first game of a doubleheader Friday at Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Ole Miss came back in the second game to blank Tech 3-0.

In game one, Bassett took a 1-2 offering from Rebels hurler Becky Nye and lifted it to left field where Alise Doubt recorded the second out of the fame but was unable to throw out Waits who tagged from third and scored the winning run.

Tech (31-27) overcame five errors on the day to pick up the win.

Ole Miss (26-27) grabbed a 2-0 run in the top of the first inning on a Lisa Conchos two-run home run off Tech starter Krissi Oliver.

However, the Lady Techsters responded in the bottom of the first, plating four runs on only two hits as Tech capitalized on two walks by Rebel starter Lindsey Perry.

Tech scored its first run of the frame on an RBI fielder's choice by Bassett, making the score 2-1 and keeping the bases loaded. After Oliver struck out for the second out of the inning, Jessica Kirby lined a bases-clearing double off of reliever Tara Willitt to left center making score 4-2 Tech.

Ole Miss tied the game up in the third, plating two runs - one of those being unearned.

Willitt held Tech in check though four innings before being relieved by Nye, who allowed only one hit and no walks while striking out five.

With the game tied at 4-4 and heading into the eighth inning, Ole Miss' Conchos started on second base due to the international tiebreaker rule.

However, Amber Tramp was unable to get the sacrifice bunt down and recorded an out without moving the runner to third. Lauren Rowe then singled to left field moving Conchos to third but Rowe was thrown out trying to advance to second base.

Oliver retired Ashley Dowdy for the final out of the fame, setting up Tech's final at bat and Bassett's heroics.

Oliver (16-13) picked up the win, allowing four runs - three earned - on nine hits while striking out one.

In game two of the day, Nye and Willitt combined to pitch a three-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory.

Barnes had two infield singles and Bassett added a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning but that was all the damage the Lady Techsters could manufacture.

Nye started the game and allowed two singles while striking out four in 4.0 innings of work. Willitt came on in the fifth and allowed only one single in the final three innings of action.

Mandi Bertsch started the game for Tech and pitched two solid innings, allowing only two singles.

Meghan Krieg came on in relief in the third and looked solid striking out eight batters, but allowing one run in the top of the fifth and two more in the sixth - all three runs scoring with two outs.

Krieg (6-3) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits in 5.0 innings of work.

Tech opens Western Athletic Conference Tournament play Wednesday in Honolulu although an opponent and game time is not yet known yet.