March 8, 2009

Box Score

COLLEGE STATION -- Emma Barnes and Amberly Wait both homered and Wanda Malone pitched solidly in relief as Louisiana Tech defeated Stephen F. Austin 4-3 Sunday afternoon at the Texas A&M Aggie Invitational.

With the win, Tech improved to 12-8 on the season while SFA fell to 11-14 as the Lady Techsters defeated the Ladyjacks for the second time in three days.

SFA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Kendal Harper walked, stole second base and came around to score on an RbI double by Bianna Bishop off Tech starter Meghan Krieg. The Ladyjacks increased their lead to 2-0 as Ashley Struchtemeye led top of the second inning off with a solo home run to centerfield.

Tech answered in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs and no one on base, Summer Young was hit by a pitch and then Heather Doiron followed with a singled down the left field line to put runners on first and second.

Barnes then launched a three-run home run over the centerfield fence to give Tech a 3-2 lead. It was Barnes' first home run of the season and only the third of her four-year career.

Tech added to its lead in the bottom of the third inning as Waits recorded her fifth home run of the season -- a solo shot over the centerfield fence -- giving the Lady Techsters a 4-2 advantage.

SFA scored a lone run in the top of the fifth inning as a bases loaded two-out error by the Lady Techsters allowed the run to score. However, Malone came on in relief of Krieg and promptly struck out Harper to protect the 4-3 lead.

Malone would work the final 2.1 innings allowing only one hit while striking out two to pick up her second save of the season.

Krieg (7-1) earned the win, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and six walks while striking out eight batters.