March 12, 2012

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech's softball team has waited more than a month to open the home portion of its 2012 schedule as the Lady Techsters will host Central Arkansas Tuesday at 5 p.m. in a single game at the renovated Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Due to a postponement of a mid-February home doubleheader against Southeastern Louisiana that was rained out, LA Tech has played the first 26 games of its season away from Ruston.

Tech (11-15) will host Central Arkansas (18-8), a Southland Conference member that defeated the Lady Techsters 4-3 in Conway back in February. UCA ranks eighth in the country in batting, hitting at a .355 clip as the Bears own impressive wins over Ole Miss and Boston College.

UCA boasts four regulars batting over .400, including Ashley Boswell (.443, 2 HR, 19 RBI), Kasey Britt (.440, 6 HR, 27 RBI), Stephanie Lasley (.435, 1 HR, 19 RBI) and Lisa Avitia (.420, 14 RBI).

The Lady Techsters, who will play eight straight at home during the next two weeks and 19 of their final 29 in Ruston, are coming off a weekend that saw them drop four of five at the War Eagle Classic hosted by Auburn.

Offensively, Tech is led by Melanie Goff (.412, 4 RBI), Janna Frandrup (.379, 1 HR, 19 RBI), Katelynn Hill (.279, 5 HR, 13 RBI), Kendra Harmon (.271, 4 RBI) and Amanda Krueger (.263, 9 doubles, 21 runs). As a team, Tech is batting .244 with 15 home runs.

In the circle, juniors Michelle Jones (7-6, 2.55 ERA) and Frandrup (1-3, 0.91 ERA) have been the top two pitchers through the first month of the season.

Tech fans can follow all of the action through Gametracker at www.latechsports.com. An audio/video webstream will also be available by purchasing a subscription to LA Tech All-Access at www.latechsports.com.