May 8, 2010

Box Score

FRESNO - Despite a superb effort in the circle by Meghan Krieg, Louisiana Tech fell 2-1 to the Bulldogs Friday night in Western Athletic Conference action at Bulldog Diamond.

Tech (25-18, 10-9 WAC) was only seven outs away from its first ever win in Fresno, but a costly error in the bottom of the fifth allowed Fresno State (35-16, 14-5) to score a pair of unearned runs with two outs as the Lady Techsters fell in its inaugural national television appearance.

In a battle of two of the top pitchers in the WAC, Krieg and Melloh were both impressive in the circle for their respective teams.

Krieg (18-14) pitched out of trouble in the first four innings as Fresno State stranded eight baserunners through the first four innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the first.

With a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning, Tech third baseman Molly Goza fouled off six straight two-strike pitches before singling to right field, driving home Jessica Kirby from third base and giving the Lady Techsters a 1-0 lead.

Tech then loaded the bases as Amanda Parsonage was hit by a pitch but Christina Gamboa struck out swinging to end the threat.

The Lady Techsters had an opportunity to increase their lead in the top of the fifth inning as Kendra Harmon and Kylie Bassett led the frame off with back-to-back singles. However, Melloh then got Amberly Waits to ground into a fielder's choice, struck out Kirby and induced Meghan Knowles into a grounder to third base to end the frame.

Fresno State then capitalized on a Techster miscue in the fifth. With one out, Courtney Moses singled to right field on a ball that Harmon made a great attempt at but couldn't hold. Then Caitlin Stiglich hit a grounder to Goza at third base that the junior fielded cleanly but threw wide of second base as both runners were safe.

After Krieg struck out Diana Runge for the second out, Nicole Angene hit a blooper through the right side of the infield for a single, tying the score at 1-1. With runners on first and third and two outs, Krieg was called for an illegal pitch, advancing both runners and giving Fresno State a 2-1 lead.

Tech was unable to score in the final two innings despite recording one hit in each frame.

Krieg picked up the loss despite allowing only two unearned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight batters. Krieg needs only five more strikeouts to break the single season strikeout record set by Stacey Johnson in 1986.

Melloh (15-6) picked up the win, allowing one earned run on eight hits and one walk while striking out a season-high 16 batters.

Harmon, Bassett and Goza each recorded two hits while Kirby and Frandrup each registered one hit.

Tech fell to 0-12 all-time in Fresno while the Bulldogs improved to 21-3 at home this season.

The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 3 p.m. CT.