April 22, 2011

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Tehani Kaaihue's grand-slam home run capped a seven-run first inning and propelled New Mexico State to a 7-1 win over Louisiana Tech in Western Athletic Conference action at NMSU Softball Complex Friday night.

New Mexico State (34-12, 12-1 WAC) recorded four of its five hits in the game during the first frame as the Aggies got to Tech ace Meghan Krieg who also struggled with control, walking two and hitting a third batter in the frame.

With the bases loaded and no outs, the nation's home run leader Hoku Nohara singled to left field, driving in the first run of the inning and tying the game at 1-1. Teresa Conrad then lined a single to left centerfield plating a second run for NMSU.

Vanessa Valles then drew a bases loaded walk to drive in the third run as the first six batters of the game reached against Krieg.

After Krieg then retired the next two batters, Kaaihue - the Aggies nine-hole hitter - launched a Krieg offering deep over the left field fence for her fifth home run of the year as NMSU took a 7-1 lead.

The Aggies outburst came after Louisiana Tech (12-32, 3-10) failed to capitalize on a bases-loaded, no out situation in the top of the first inning.

Kendra Harmon led the game off with a single and advanced to third on a throwing error by NMSU third baseman Ashley Maroda on a sacrifice bunt by Charday Wilson. Janna Frandrup then walked to load the bases with no outs.

However, Allie Geisler popped up to second base on the first pitch she saw from Aggies started Alex Newman for the first out of the inning. Heather Doiron then worked a walk to plate the first run of the game as Tech took the early 1-0 lead.

With the bases loaded and only one out, Meghan Knowles flied out to shallow right field and then Molly Goza grounded back to the pitcher for the third and final out of the frame.

Krieg settled down following the first, allowing only a one-out single to Tiare Jennings in the bottom of the fourth inning while also pitching around a pair of errors and three walks during the final five innings of action.

Tech had numerous opportunities against Newman and the Aggies putting runners on in six of the seven innings of the game, including three base runners in both the third and seventh frames. However, the Lady Techsters were 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

Krieg (7-19) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on five hits and five walks while striking out seven against one of the nation's top offensive teams. NMSU entered the game sporting a team batting average of .350 but only hit .200 in the contest.

Harmon, Doiron, Knowles, Goza and Christina Gamboa each registered one hit in the contest for the Lady Techsters.

Newman (20-4) picked up the win, allowing only one unearned run on five hits and eight walks while striking out three in the victory.

The two teams will wrap up the series with a doubleheader Saturday starting at 3 p.m. CT.