April 8, 2009

Box Score

NATCHITOCHES, La. -- Louisiana Tech blasted four solo home runs to down Northwestern State 4-1 Wednesday afternoon at Demon Diamond.

LA Tech (20-16) took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning as catcher Jessica Kirby blasted a mammoth home run over the left field wall. It was Kirby's sixth home run of the season.

The Lady Techsters threatened to add to their lead in the frame as Claire Gibson singled, Amanda Parsonage walked and Heather Doiron was hit by a pitch to load the bases. However, Emma Barnes flew out to centerfield to end the inning.

In the top of the third inning, Tech put runners on first and third as Amberly Waits singled and Kirby was hit by a pitch but Valerie Quiroga fouled out to left field to once again end any hopes of adding to the one-run advantage.

Starter Krissi Oliver held the Demons in check through the first three innings, twice getting out of jams in both the first and second innings when Northwestern State (4-31) put runners on first and second.

Sophomore Meghan Krieg relieved Oliver in the bottom of the fourth inning and promptly struck out the side.

Tech appeared ready to blow the game open in the top of the fifth inning as Sheridan and Waits singled and advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Kylie Bassett. After Kirby drew a walk to load the bases, Quiroga fouled out to the shortstop and Gibson flew out to centerfield as the score remained 1-0.

The Lady Techsters finally erupted in the top of the seventh inning as Waits led the frame off with a line drive home run over the right field wall, giving Tech a 2-0 lead. It was Waits 10th home run of the season, tying the Tech single season record set by Ashley Cameron.

Bassett then followed suit, hitting her third home run of the season over the left field fence and upping the Tech lead to 3-0. After Kirby flew out, freshman pinch hitter Allie Geisler blasted her first career home run over the left field fence giving Tech a four run advantage.

Sophomore Wanda Malone came on in the seventh and surrendered two hits and one unearned run before closing out the game.

Oliver (8-11) picked up the win in the circle, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two. Krieg allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out five.

Waits and Gibson led Tech's 10-hit attack with three hits each while Sheridan, Bassett, Kirby and Geisler each added one hit.

NSU's Kelee Grimes (3-19) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three.

Tech returns to action Friday at 6 p.m. when it hosts nationally-ranked Fresno State. The two teams also play a doubleheader against the Bulldogs Saturday starting at 3 p.m.