March 23, 2011

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RUSTON - Meghan Krieg dominated McNeese State for nine innings and Allie Giesler recorded the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth to lead Louisiana Tech to a 2-1 victory over the Cowgirls Wednesday night at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Krieg (5-11) allowed only one run on two hits and three walks while striking out 12 in the complete-game performance, marking the sixth time this year and fourth in the last seven starts that the Tech ace has registered double digit strikeouts.

"I thought she was good early, struggled a little in the middle innings when she walked a few and then settled down and dominated down the stretch," said Tech head coach Sarah Dawson. "She pitched really well. It was good to see that after she gave up the run in the fourth, she didn't allow it to affect her and she really bounced back strong."

Tech (9-21) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first off McNeese State starter Kayla Shepard, who was impressive in the circle for the Cowgirls.

With one out in the first, Charday Wilson singled to rightfield but was then thrown out trying to steal second base on a close play at the base. On the very next pitch, Janna Frandrup lined a Shepard offering over the left field wall for her third home run of the season, giving the Lady Techsters a 1-0 advantage.

Krieg cruised through the first three innings - giving up only a bloop single to centerfield - before McNeese State (11-19) finally scratched for the tying run in the fourth. Molly Guidry drew a walk to start the frame and then stole second base. One out later, Katie Shumaker hit a soft liner to left field that fell in front of Cassie Krieg for a single putting runners on second and third with only one out.

McNeese State then executed a perfect suicide squeeze as Katie Roux laid down the sacrifice bunt, scoring Guidry from third and evening the score at 1-1.

Krieg then settled down retiring 16 of the last 17 batters she faced, allowing only a two-out walk to Claire Terracina in the top of the fifth inning.

Tech threatened to take the lead in both the fourth and sixth innings, putting runners on third base but the Lady Techsters were unable to drive them home.

Using the international tie-breaker rule starting in the top of the eighth inning, neither team was able to plate a run in the eighth and Krieg dominated the Cowgirls again in the top of the ninth inning - not allowing the runner at second to advance while retiring three straight hitters.

In the bottom of the frame, Wilson started at second base and advanced to third on a perfect sacrifice bunt by Frandrup. Allie Giesler then lined a 1-1 pitch off the top of the left field wall for a walk-off single as Tech pulled off the win.

Tech managed five hits in the game, including one each by Kendra Harmon, Wilson, Frandrup, Geisler and Molly Goza.

Shepard (6-10) took the loss despite allowing only two runs - one earned - on five hits and two walks while striking out six.

Tech returns to action this weekend when the Lady Techsters open Western Athletic Conference play against Fresno State at home. The two teams will play a single game Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.