April 15, 2011

Box Score

RUSTON - Stephanie Ricketts fired a one-hit complete-game shutout as Hawaii defeated Louisiana Tech 6-0 Friday night in Western Athletic Conference action at the Lady Techsters Softball Complex.

Ricketts (18-9) continued her dominance in Ruston as the reigning WAC Pitcher of the Year improved to 3-0 all-time at the facility. In three career starts in Ruston, Ricketts has allowed only two hits, one walks and zero runs in 21.0 innings of action, including one no-hitter and two one-hitters.

Hawaii (29-12, 7-3 WAC) wasted little time in jumping out on top of the first inning as the Rainbow Wahine capitalized on some early wildness by Meghan Krieg and a costly throwing error.

Krieg (7-17), battling wind gusts as high as 25 miles per hour, walked two batters and hit a third to load the bases with only one out. However, the Tech ace then got a ground ball to shortstop but Michelle Jones throw home hit the back of the Hawaii runner allowing two runs to score. A ground ball out to second base then plated a third unearned run as UH took a 3-0 lead.

Tech (11-30, 2-8 WAC) recorded its only hit of the game with two outs in the bottom of the first inning when Janna Frandrup singled through the left side. However, catcher Allie Geisler then fouled out to first base for the final out of the frame.

Hawaii added a solo run in the third on a two-out single by Jenna Rodriquez that plated Jessica Iwata who led the frame off with a double of f the glove of Frandrup at first base.

Ricketts cruised retiring 13 straight batters until Christina Gamboa reached on a fielding error by the Rainbow Wahine pitcher to lead off the sixth. Gamboa advanced all the way to third but the Lady Techsters were unable to plate her.

After the first inning wildness, Krieg settled down until the top of the seventh inning when Rodriguez scorched a two-out, two-run home run over the left field wall to up the advantage to 6-0.

Ricketts retired three straight batters in the seventh to seal the victory.

Krieg took the loss, allowing six runs - only three earned - on eight hits and four walks while striking out a game-high 10.

Ricketts allowed just one hit while walking none and striking out six in the victory.

The two teams play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m.