March 25, 2010
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech will open up Western Athletic Conference play this weekend when the Lady Techsters host Utah State in a three-game series at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.
The series begins with a single game Friday at 6 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. All three games can be seen and heard by subscribing to LA Tech All-Access at www.latechsports.com. Fans can also follow the action via gametracker by logging onto the same site.
Tech (12-9) was picked fifth in the preseason WAC Coaches Poll while the Aggies (11-11) were tabbed eighth.
However, Utah State opened up people's eyes early this year when they defeated No. 1 ranked Washington 7-4 in the second full week of the season - one of only two losses suffered on the year by the defending national champion Huskies.
In only their fifth season in the WAC, Utah State is looking for its first ever WAC-opening win as the Aggies have lost their conference opener four straight years, including a 2-0 defeat to Boise State last season.
Tech leads the all-time series against Utah State 10-5, including having won six of the last seven games. Tech swept a three-game series from the Aggies two years ago in Ruston while taking two of three from Utah State last season in Logan.
Utah State is led by Rachel Evans (.333, 6 runs, 5 RBI) and Joreigh Landers (.305, 11 runs, 9 RBI) while Kelley Kaneshiro (.242, 5 HR, 14 RBI) and Nicole Trindall (.232, 2 HR, 17 RBI) are the top run producers for the Aggies.
In the circle, USU has used a total of five pitchers although Mandy Harmon (5-4, 3.60 ERA) and Kate Greenough (4-6, 3.66 ERA) are the two workhorses of the staff.
LA Tech is averaging 5.0 runs per game this season spearheaded by Preseason WAC Player of the Year Amberly Waits, who is sporting a .438 batting average with four home runs, 14 RBI and 19 runs scored. Waits enters this weekend's series needing only three more hits to become the program's all-time leader, currently trailing former Lady Techster Emma Barnes (236).
Tech has also been relying on the offensive production of Kendra Harmon (.281, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 15 runs), Jessica Kirby (.217, 2 HR, 20 RBI) and Kylie Bassett (.214, 6 doubles, 5 HR, 14 RBI).
In the circle Tech will rely heavily upon junior Meghan Krieg (8-8, 2.34 ERA), who has struck out 131 in 104.2 innings of action this year. Krieg has held opponents to only 70 hits and a .188 batting average on the season.
