Feb. 10, 2012

Box Score

Tournament Central

2012 Media Guide

BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Tech scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning but it wasn't enough as 15th ranked Michigan defeated the Lady Techsters 7-6 in the season opener for both teams at the LSU Tiger Classic Friday evening.

Trailing 7-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Meghan Knowles singled to left center with one out and then following the second out of the frame, sophomore outfielder Katelynn Hill lined a two-run home run down the left field line, cutting the deficit to 7-4.

Kendra Harmon followed with an infield single and then Amanda Krueger reached on a throwing error by Michigan to put runners on first and third. Janna Frandrup followed with a two-run double to right centerfield as Tech cut the lead down to 7-6.

With the game-tying run on second, Erin Kipp grounded out to third base to end the threat as the Lady Techsters upset bid fell just short.

"I was really proud of how we came out today," said Tech head coach Sarah Dawson. "We walked out (on the field) and felt like we belonged there. It was one of the messages that we talked about in setting our goals. It was good to see them following through on a big challenge. Even down 7-0, I felt we stuck with it and continued to compete.

"On offense our at bats got better and better. Then we started to hit the ball hard. Then we started to find holes and push runs across. The fact we continued to improve in each at bat as we competed was a good sign."

Tech had a golden opportunity to grab the lead and the momentum early in the game. After keeping Michigan off the boards in the top of the first, Tech loaded the bases as Harmon, Krueger and Frandrup each drew walks against Wolverines freshman pitcher Sara Driesenga.

However, Harmon was forced out at home on a ground ball to third by cleanup hitter Erin Kipp for the first out of the frame. Dacia Hale followed with a fly out to right field and Krueger was thrown out at home trying to score to end the Lady Techster threat.

Michigan wasted little time in grabbing the lead as the Wolverines plated two runs on two hits, two walks and one error in the top of the second inning off Tech starter Erin Kipp. The Wolverines upped the advantage to 4-0 in the top of the third inning when Taylor Hasselbach hit a two-out, two-run home run to left center.

The game appeared as though it was going to get away from Tech in the top of the fourth when a throwing error by Tech shortstop Michelle Jones opened the flood gates as the Wolverines scored three unearned runs to increase the advantage to 7-0.

"In two of the innings, there were errors that allowed additional runs to score," Dawson said. "The fact that we didn't allow a big inning where they strung hit after hit after hit together was big deal, especially with the offensive lineup Michigan boasts. I thought Erin did great. The strike zone was tight, but she did a good job of changing speeds."

Tech finally recorded its first hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Janna Frandrup reached on what was scored a two-base error by the Michigan right fielder, centerfielder Dacia Hale reached on an infield single to shortstop putting runners on first and third.

Frandrup scored and Hale advanced to third on a wild pitch and then Meghan Knowles drove in the second run of the frame with a single through the right side, making the score 7-2.

Junior transfer Mel Goff relieved Kipp in the top of the fifth inning and proceeded to allow only one hit and two walks over the final three innings of work.

"Mel came in and we saw the best version of her," Dawson said. "We knew she had it in her but we haven't seen it during intra-squad or even workouts. But she walked out there tonight like it was just another game. It was great to see her go out and perform at this level."

The scored remained 7-2 until the seventh when the Lady Techsters plated four. Michigan, which posted a 53-6 mark last season, recorded only two strikeouts against the Lady Techsters the entire game.

"We told the kids coming in to be aggressive," Dawson said. "In order to be successful our approach has to be consistent. We have to be locked in, thinking we are going to get a pitch to hit and when we do, we have to hit it. We can't sit back. I thought we took charge of our at bats, worked the counts, and understood the strike zone well."

Kipp took the loss for Tech, allowing seven runs - four earned - on eight hits and four walks in 4.0 innings of action. Goff pitched 3.0 innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out one.

Offensively, Tech was led by Knowles (2 hits, 1 RBI), Hill (HR, 2 RBI) and Frandrup (2B, 2 RBI).

The Lady Techsters return to action Saturday when they face Penn State at 10 a.m. and Michigan at 5:30 p.m.