April 23, 2010

Box Score

RUSTON - Kathy Cox three-run home run was the difference as Louisiana Tech fell 4-2 to Boise State in the first game of a three-game Western Athletic Conference series Friday night at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

With the two teams tied at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning, Cox belted her 17th home run of the year over the centerfield fence with two runners on to give the Broncos a 4-1 lead.

Broncos starter Allie Crump (13-15) pitched her way out of numerous jams throughout the game as the Boise State defense made a couple of game-changing plays in the field for the win.

Boise State (21-27, 8-5 WAC) took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Vanessa Alvarez doubled down the right field line off of Meghan Krieg with two outs to score Kellie Caplan, who led the frame off with a walk.

Tech (21-16, 6-7 WAC) tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning. After Janna Frandrup doubled to left centerfield with one out, Molly Goza laced a single off the left field wall, tying the game at 1-1.

The Lady Techsters then loaded the bases with two outs in the frame, but Kylie Bassett flew out to right centerfield, ending the threat.

Tech threatened again in the bottom of the third inning as Amberly Waits singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Kirby and then advanced to third after tagging up on a Meghan Knowles foul out to the catcher for the second out of the frame.

However, Waits was stranded as Frandrup grounded out to second base to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth with two outs, Tech rallied again as Sarah Offutt singled and then advanced to third on a single by Kendra Harmon. Bassett then hit a sharp liner up the middle that Broncos shortstop Jesse Hanna had played perfectly as she stepped on second for the final out, keeping the score tied at 1-1.

Boise State then capitalized on Tech's inability to score as the Broncos drew a lead off walk from Krieg before Kaplan laid down a bunt single to put runners on first and second with no outs in the fifth. After a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners, Cox drilled a pitch over the centerfield fence for the three-run home run.

Tech mounted one final rally in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Harmon drew a walk. Bassett then laced a pitch deep down the left field line that Broncos outfielder Ashley Collier made a great play on for the second out.

Waits then doubled to left centerfield, scoring Harmon from first but was gunned down at third for the final out of the game trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Tech lost despite outhitting Boise State 8-3.

Krieg (16-13) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on three hits and six walks while striking out four in the complete-game performance.

Waits led Tech with three hits while Harmon, Frandrup, Goza, Amanda Parsonage and Offutt each recorded one hit.

The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday although the start time for the first game has been pushed back to 3 p.m.