March 6, 2010

Box Score

AUBURN - Louisiana Tech head coach Sarah Dawson was a little frustrated following Saturday's 6-5 win over Alabama State at the War Eagle Classic but she knew the bottom line.

"A wins a win," Dawson said.

Dawson saw her team build a 6-2 lead and then almost relinquish it in the final frame as the Hornets scored three times and had the tying run on second when the final out was registered.

"The last inning Michelle (Jones) got some pitches up in the strike zone," Dawson said. "And then we made some mistakes behind her in the field. It wasn't all on her shoulders. She had some good innings where she settled down and got in a groove.

"The difference is when she keeps the ball below the knees as compared to getting up in the strike zone. Then they are in a bad spot. She has to learn to hit her spots more consistently."

Jones (3-1) picked up the win, allowing five runs - three earned - on nine hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

Tech (9-6) took an early 1-0 lead as Jessica Kirby singled home Kylie Bassett with two outs in the top of the first inning. After Alabama State tied the game at 1-1 in the first, the Lady Techsters retook a 2-1 lead on an RBI single by Kendra Harmon in the second.

The Hornets tied the game in the bottom of the third inning plating a run on two hits although Jones got out of a jam as Alabama State left two runners on base in the frame.

The Lady Techsters then exploded for four runs on four hits in the fourth inning. Meghan Knowles and Molly Goza led the frame off with back-to-back singles before the next two Tech hitters were retired. With two outs, Harmon singled home two runs to give the Lady Techsters a 4-2 lead.

"Kendra has adjusted well to the leadoff spot and is doing a good job of getting on base and driving in runs when the opportunity presents itself," Dawson said. "I'm pleased with her production."

Bassett followed with a mammoth two-run home run - her third of the year - as Tech led 6-2.

"Kylie has had some better at bats this weekend," Dawson said. "She is starting to work through some of her struggles and is getting more consistent in her at bats. She is having more quality at bats. The home run was impressive."

Jones then settled down and allowed only two singles and one walk through the next three innings while the Lady Techster bats fell silent.

Alabama State then recorded four hits - three extra base hits - in its final at bat before Jones retired the final two batters to preserve the win.

Harmon (2 hits, 3 RBI, 1 run) and Goza (2 hits, 2 runs) led Tech's 10-hit attack while Kallan Thompson, Amberly Waits, Bassett, Shelley Simmons, Jessica Kirby and Knowles each recorded one hit.

Tech will face Tennessee State Sunday morning at 9 a.m. in its final game at the War Eagle Classic.