May 12, 2010

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Louisiana Tech was one out away from winning its WAC Tournament opener for the fourth straight year but a solo home run, bad-hop single, infield error, passed ball and two-run single cost the Lady Techsters the game as San Jose State won 6-5 Wednesday afternoon.

Tech led 5-3 heading into the top of the seventh inning with first team all-WAC pitcher Meghan Krieg looking in command in the circle.

After recording the first two outs of the inning, Krieg surrendered a solo home run to Julianne Aiello to cut the lead to 5-4. San Jose State catcher Brittany McConnell then hit a hard ground ball that took a bad hop on Tech shortstop Amberly Waits for an infield single.

Ursula Lopez then hit a routine grounder to Waits who threw to second baseman Heather Doiron for the force, but the ball was dropped and the Spartans had life.

After the runners advanced to second and third on a passed ball, Breanna Lopez laced a single to centerfield, scoring two runs and giving San Jose State a 6-5 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Kylie Bassett and Jessica Kirby strike outs bookended a Waits single to right field. With two outs Waits stole second base but Meghan Knowles then grounded out to third base to end the game.

Tech fell behind early as San Jose State scored three runs in the top of the second inning off of Krieg (18-15). With the bases loaded and one out, Brandee Garcia singled to left field scoring two runs. On the throw into the infield, Bassett was charged with an error allowing the third run to score and giving the Spartans the 3-0 lead.

A San Jose State error in the bottom of the third then opened the flood gates for LA Tech. With two outs, Waits hit a routine grounder to first base that Natasha Hawkins misplayed. Kirby then doubled down the left field line scoring Waits and making the score 3-1.

Knowles then launched a two-run home run deep over the left field fence, tying the score at 3-3.

Tech began the bottom of the fourth inning when Sarah Offutt hit her first career home run, giving the Lady Techsters the lead. Two batters later, Bassett hit her 10th home run of the year as Tech led 5-3.

Krieg settled down after the second, allowing one runner in each of the next four innings without giving up a run until the seventh inning.

Krieg, who set the LA Tech single season strikeout record in the top of the fourth inning with her 255th of the year, allowed six runs - only three earned - on seven hits and five walks in 7.0 innings of action.

Bassett, Waits, Kirby, Knowles, Frandrup and Offutt each recorded one hit for the Lady Techsters who return to action Thursday at 8 p.m. against an opponent yet not known.