April 10, 2010

Box Score

RUSTON - Meghan Krieg continued her dominance against Western Athletic Conference teams and Heather Doiron came up with a two-run home run to lead Louisiana Tech to a 2-1 win over New Mexico State in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday.

NMSU (19-18, 1-8 WAC) won the final game of the series 6-2 Saturday afternoon.

Tech (20-12, 6-3 WAC) won its third straight league series of the year and the sixth straight dating back to last season despite the Lady Techsters offensive struggles.

In the first game of the day, Krieg (16-9) recorded sixth straight win allowing only one run on four hits and six walks while striking out 10 in the complete-game performance.

"Meghan threw a great game," said Tech head coach Sarah Dawson. "She only had the one hiccup but other than that did a great job of shutting them down again. It's a luxury to have her out in the circle. It was can score two runs and still win great. That's not necessarily what we want to do all the time but it worked this weekend."

Although NMSU left at least one runner on base in every inning but one, Krieg only found herself in one main jam the entire game. In the top of the fourth inning of a scoreless game, Krieg walked two batters and hit a third to load the bases with two outs.

Krieg then took the count full on Teresa Conrad before walking her to force in the game's first run as Tech trailed 1-0. However, after falling behind the next batter 3-0, Krieg induced a groundout by Kylie Randall to end the threat.

Tech answered quickly. In the bottom of the fourth with two outs and Amberly Waits on second base after a leadoff double, Doiron drove a pitch over the leftfield wall for her second home run of the year as the Lady Techster took a 2-1 lead.

"Heather has been struggling but has been working through some issues at the plate," Dawson said. "She got a pitch she could drive and did. It was good to see her have some success. It game at a great time and gave us the lead."

NMSU threatened in the top of the sixth putting two runners on with two outs. However, Krieg got Conrad to strike out swinging to end the threat.

The Aggies had one last chance in the seventh after Tierre Jennings recorded a two-out single. However, with NMSU's top home run threat Hoku Nohara at the plate, Krieg struck her out looking for the final out of the game.

Molly Goza led Tech with two hits while Dorion, Waits and Kenra Harmon each added one.

In the second game of the day, Tech couldn't solve NMSU reliever Sidney Williard as NMSU defeated the Lady Techsters 6-2.

Tech freshmen Michelle Jones and Janna Frandrup gave a workman-like effort in the circle allowing six runs - five earned - on 11 hits and three walks but the Lady Techster offense was stagnant against the combination of starter Torrey Schroeder and Willard.

"We've been challenging our team to find a way to win the third game of these series," said Dawson. "We just haven't found a way to get it done. It was nice to see Michelle and Janna put together seven competitive innings. They didn't give up the big inning like they had been. It was a big improvement on their part. We simply have to fix our approach at the plate. I didn't feel like we competed through the lineup."

NMSU scored in all but two innings as the Aggies plated one run in the first, second, sixth and seventh and two runs in the fourth.

Tech had its opportunities at the plate, however, the Lady Techsters hit into three inning ending double plays in the game.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning, Tech plated a run as Amanda Parsonage drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run. However, with the bases loaded and one out, Sarah Offutt lined out to second base and Goza was doubled off third base to end the threat.

The Lady Techsters had another great chance in the bottom of the third inning as Harmon singled and Kylie Bassett walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. However, Waits grounded out to shortstop and then Jessica Kirby hit into an inning ending double play to thwart the threat.

Tech plated its final run of the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning as pinch hitter Valerie Quiroga hit her second home run of the year over the left field fence.

Williard (5-4) got the win for the Aggies, allowing only one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five in 5.2 innings of relief.

Harmon, Waits, Goza and Quiroga had LA Tech's four hits.

Tech returns to action Tuesday when the Lady Techsters host Grambling State at 4 p.m.