March 6, 2009

Box Score

COLLEGE STATION -- Senior Krissi Oliver pitched seven strong innings and Amberly Waits and Jessica Kirby provided the offensive firepower to lift Louisiana Tech to a 7-2 win over Stephen F. Austin Friday at the Texas A&M Aggie Invitational.

After recording only three hits and one run through the first four innings, the Lady Techsters (11-8) erupted for six runs on eight hits over the final three frames to win their third straight game.

SFA (9-13) took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Monica Hirsch led the frame off with a single and scored on a two-out RBI single by Kim Daley.

Tech tied the game in the top of the third inning as Waits homered to right centerfield, her fourth of the year and third in the last three games. The Lady Techsters then took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning as Emma Barnes singled and then scored on a Waits RBI double to left centerfield.

The Ladyjacks tied the game up in the bottom half of the fifth inning as Briana Bishop hit a solo home run over the left field wall, knotting the score at 2-2.

After SFA starter Lauren Luetge retired the first two Tech batters in the top of the sixth, Summer Young reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Freshman Kendra Harmon then entered the game as a pinch runner and promptly scored on an RBI triple by Heather Doiron to right centerfield, giving Tech a 3-1 advantage.

Barnes followed with an RBI single to left center scoring Doiron as the Lady Techsters led 4-2.

After Oliver retired SFA in order in the bottom half of the sixth, Tech added three more insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Waits singled and Kylie Bassett walked before Oliver moved them to second and third with a sacrifice bunt.

Kirby then hit a three-run home run over the left field wall, her second of the season, giving the Lady Techsters a comfortable 7-2 lead.

Oliver allowed an innocent single in the bottom of the seventh before retiring the final batter to pick up the win. Oliver (4-6) allowed two earned runs on eight hits while striking out seven in the complete-game victory.

Waits led Tech going 3-for-4 with two RBI while Kirby was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Barnes and Claire Gibson each added two hits.

Tech returns to action Sunday when it faces SFA at 12:15 p.m. and Texas A&M at 2:30 p.m.