March 10, 2012

Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. - Louisiana Tech split a pair of games Saturday evening at the War Eagle Classic, defeating George Washington 4-2 and falling to Presbyterian 7-2 at Jane B. Moore Field.

In the first game of the day, freshman Alayna Kipp's two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the difference as the Lady Techsters snapped their four-game losing streak.

George Washington had scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at 2-2, setting up Kipp's heroics. Mel Goff led the frame off with a single. Katelynn Hill followed reaching first base on a fielder's choice as Goff was retired at second for the first out of the inning.

Kipp followed with her second home run of the year - and second in as many games - a two-run shot over the centerfield fence, giving the Lady Techsters a 4-2 advantage.

Starting pitcher Michelle Jones (7-6) worked a scoreless seventh inning, allowing only one base runner, to earn her team-leading seventh win of the season. Jones allowed two runs on five hits and three walks in the complete-game performance.

Tech took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a two-out, two-run double by Goff to centerfield, scoring Dacia Hale and Janna Frandrup.

Jones cruised through the first five innings, allowing only two hits. However, GW finally found some offensive success in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on three hits.

Goff led Tech at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance and two RBI while Kipp (HR, 2 RBI), Janine Godwin, Hale, and Tricia Van Winkle each registered one hit.

In the second game of the day, Tech committed three errors en route to the 7-2 loss to Presbyterian.

The only offensive highlight for Tech was a two-run home run by Hale in the top of the fourth inning, her fourth of the year.

Presbyterian took a 4-0 lead in the first off Goff, scoring four runs on four hits including two unearned runs with two outs in the frame. It extended the lead to 6-0 in the third on a two-out, two-run home run.

Tech responded with Hale's two-run bomb over the left field wall in the fourth, scoring Janna Frandrup who had singled.

Presbyterian added a single unearned run in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a pair of errors by Tech.

Frandrup and Goff led Tech with two hits each while Hale added the home run.

Goff (0-3) took the loss, allowing six runs - four earned - on seven hits and two walks in 3.0 innings of action. Frandrup pitched the final 3.0 innings, allowing only one hit.

Tech will face Drexel Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the final game of the event.