May 1, 2010

Box Score

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech defeated Nevada twice Saturday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep of the Wolf Pack on Senior Day at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Tech (25-17, 10-8 WAC) won 3-1 and 9-7 to clinch a spot in the upcoming Western Athletic Conference Tournament while Nevada (16-26, 3-14) must sweep a three-game series from Boise State next weekend and still get some help in order to qualify.

In the first game of the day, Meghan Krieg was stellar in the circle, limiting Nevada to only two hits and one run - a two-out RBI double in the top of the seventh inning - while picking up her 18th win of the season.

After Wolf Pack shortstop Danielle Patrick singled with one out in the top of the first, Krieg retired 19 of the next 20 batters she faced - surrendering only a walk to Patrick in the third inning.

While Krieg was in control in the circle, the Lady Techsters offense managed to give her some support, scoring two runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Meghan Knowles singled to lead off the inning and Kallan Thompson then pinch ran for Knowles. The move proved big as the speedy Thompson beat out a throw on a bunt by Janna Fandrup as both runners were safe on the play.

Heather Doiron pinch ran for Frandrup before Molly Goza popped up for the first out and Sarah Offutt reached on a fielder's choice as Thompson was thrown out at third.

With runners on first and second and two outs, Christina Gamboa singled to left field to load the bases. Kendra Harmon then came through with an RBI single to right field while Offutt also scored on the play as the Nevada catcher couldn't handle the throw home as Tech led 2-0.

Tech added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Doiron struck out but reached first base on a passed ball. After moving to second on a wild pitch, Goza singled to put runners on the corners with nobody out.

One out later, Gamboa reached on an error to load the bases before Harmon came through again with a sacrifice fly, giving Tech a 3-0 lead.

Nevada finally plated a run on a Megan Fincher two out double in the bottom of the seventh. However, Krieg retired Amanda Nims on a fly out to right field to end the game.

Krieg (18-13) struck out seven in the game and now needs only 13 more strikeouts to break the single season record of 254 held by Stacey Johnson.

Harmon, Waits, Knowles, Goza and Gamboa each recorded one hit while Harmon added two RBI.

In the second game of the day, Frandrup (2-1) was impressive in the circle through five innings as the Tech offense built an big lead and the Lady Techsters held on for the win.

Frandrup allowed only two runs - one earned - on four hits through the first five innings before getting into trouble in the sixth.

Tech took an early 1-0 lead in the first when Harmon reached on an error and eventually scored on an illegal pitch called on Wolf Pack starter Katie Holverson.

The Lady Techsters added two more runs in the third on an RBI single by Molly Goza and an RBI single by Heather Doiron, both coming with two outs. Waits led the frame off with a single and stole second base to reach scoring position.

Gamboa led the fourth inning off with a walk before Harmon laid down a bunt single to put runners on first and second. One out later, Waits singled to load the bases. Kirby then came through with a two-run single down the right field line as the third run scored on a throwing error by the Wolf Pack rightfielder.

Leading 6-0, Frandrup gave up two runs in the fifth as Tech committed three errors, including two on one play that allowed the first run to score. The second run scored in a wild pitch by Frandrup as Tech's lead shrunk to 6-2.

The Lady Techsters responded immediately in the bottom of the fifth as Sarah Offutt drew a one-out walk and came around to score on a two-run home run by Harmon. It was Harmon's third home run of the year and gave her four RBI on the day.

Nevada heated up in the sixth as the Wolf Pack plated five runs - only one earned. Five hits and one costly error led to the outburst as Nevada trailed only 8-7. Michelle Jones came on in relief of Frandrup with two outs in the sixth and surrendered an RBI single before getting the final out.

Kirby then added to Tech's lead with a solo home run leading off the bottom of the sixth, her fourth of the year and the 22nd of her career - tying her for third place with Erica St. Romain.

Tech took a 9-7 lead into the seventh when Lauren Lastrapes led the inning off with a single to centerfield as Nevada brought the tying run to the plate. However, Sam Puzey hit a hard grounder up the middle that Waits made a great play on to record a double play and erase the base runners.

Jones then induced a ground out by Fincher to end the game.

Frandrup picked up the win while Jones earned her first collegiate save in the circle.

Offensively, Harmon led Tech with three hits, three runs and two RBI while Kirby added two hits and three RBI. Waits and Doiron also had two hits in the win.

Tech ends its regular season next weekend when it travels to Fresno State to face the Bulldogs in a three-game series before advancing to the 2010 WAC Tournament in Las Cruces.