April 13, 2011

Box Score

RUSTON - Three Northwestern State pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout as the Lady Demons defeated the Lady Techsters 3-0 Wednesday night at the LA Tech Softball Complex.

Both pitching staffs were solid in the circle but the Lady Demons (25-17) scratched for three runs - two unearned - to split the two-game season series against LA Tech. The Lady Techsters won 4-2 in extra innings at Natchitoches in mid-March.

Tech sophomore hurler Michelle Jones was impressive in the circle as the Scurry, Texas native surrendered only six hits and no walks while striking out three during 5.0 innings of action.

However, Tech's defense behind Jones was not as three errors proved costly. In a scoreless game heading into the top of the third inning, ??? Burke recorded a one-out bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error by third baseman Molly Goza.

After Burke advanced to third on a ground out, Kylie Roos singled down the left field lane with two outs to score Burke and give the Lady Demons a 1-0 lead.

Tech had its best scoring chance of the night in the bottom of the fourth inning as Kendra Harmon led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Charday Wilson then struck out swinging but advanced all the way to second as the third strike got away from the NSU catcher as Harmon also advanced to third.

With runners on second and third and no outs, Janna Frandrup struck out swinging, Allie Geisler hit a bullet to third base that was snared for the second out and then Heather Doiron struck out swinging to end the threat.

NSU then built on that momentum in the top of the fifth inning, plating two unearned runs off of Jones on pair of errors by Tech shortstop Emma Eichmann - one throwing and one fielding.

Meghan Krieg relieved Jones and allowed only one hit while striking out four in the final 2.0 innings of action.

Harmon, Wilson and Christina Gamboa recorded the only three hits of the game for Tech.

Roos (11-5) worked the first three innings for NSU, allowing only one hit and no walks. Brooke Boening pitched one inning in relief, allowing only one hits. Kelee Grimes then came on to record her first save of the year, allowing only one hit in the final 3.0 innings of action.

The Lady Techsters will host Hawaii this weekend in a three-game series starting Friday night at 6 p.m. and culminating Saturday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader.