March 16, 2012
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech will host Texas-Arlington Saturday in a softball doubleheader at the Lady Techsters Softball Complex with the first game schedule for a 1 p.m. start time.
Although the twin-bill is non-conference this season, the matchup is a preview of what will become a Western Athletic Conference series starting next year when UTA joins the league in all sports.
The Lady Techsters (11-16) are looking to bounce back after dropping a heartbreaking 9-7 extra inning decision to Central Arkansas on Tuesday in a game that saw Tech take a 2-1 lead into the final frame. Tech has dropped seven of its last eight games with the last two losses coming in extra innings.
Offensively, Tech has shown signs of promise, hitting 18 home runs and recording 54 extra base hits already this season - after well ahead of last year's pace. Eight different players have already recorded at least one home run led by Katelynn Hill (.279, 5 HR, 13 RBI) and Dacia Hale (.205, 4 HR, 12 RBI).
Melanie Goff (.395, 4 RBI) and Janna Frandrup (.362, 1 HR, 19 RBI) are Tech's top two batting average leaders while Kendra Harmon (.280) has come on strong recently, recording hits in six of her last nine plate appearances. Amanda Krueger (.263, 9 doubles, 22 runs), Erin Kipp (.259, 4 RBI) and Alayna Kipp (.220, 3 HR, 8 RBI) all hit home runs in Tuesday's loss to UCA.
Frandrup (19), Hill (13), Hale (12), Meghan Knowles (12) and Krueger (11) are Tech's leaders in RBI.
In the circle, Tech continues to rely upon the arms of Michelle Jones (7-7, 2.82 ERA), Frandrup (1-3, 0.91 ERA), Goff (0-3, 6.00 ERA) and Erin Kipp (3-3, 7.07 ERA).
UTA (11-10) travels to Ruston with a pair of Lady Techster connections. Head coach Debbie Hedricks was a three-time All-American for Louisiana Tech during her playing days in the late 1980s and she still ranks as one of the top pitchers in the history of the program. Mavs junior outfielder Kallan Thompson also began her playing career at LA Tech in 2010 before transferring back home to the Arlington area.
The Mavs are batting .250 as a team led by Erica LeFlore (.359, 3 HR, 11 RBI), Stephanie Gonzalez (.357, 3 HR, 6 RBI) and Courtney Zink (.327, 2 RBI). In the circle, UTA is led by Teri Lyles (4-5, 2.60 ERA) and Callie Collins (5-5, 3.11 ERA).
Fans can follow all of the action via Gametracker through the www.latechsports.com. An audio and video stream of the game will also be provided through a monthly subscription to LA Tech All-Access.
