Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 March 30, 2012
Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Louisiana Tech was two outs away from winning a 10-inning marathon, but San Jose State centerfielder Vanessa House hit a walk-off three-run home run to lead the Spartans to a dramatic 4-2 win in the first game of a Western Athletic Conference doubleheader at Spartan Softball Complex.
The Spartans (19-18, 3-2 WAC) swept the doubleheader, winning the nightcap 7-0.
Tech (15-19, 2-3 WAC) took a 2-1 lead over San Jose State in the top of the 10th inning on a two-out, run scoring double by freshman Alayna Kipp that plated Melanie Goff with the go-ahead run.
Michelle Jones (9-9), who pitched brilliantly all day, retired Michelle Cox for the first out in the bottom of the 10th frame. However, Jessica Garcia drew a walk and then Brittany Helm hit a Texas leaguer that fell in right centerfield to put runners on first and second.
House, who was hitless in her three previous at bats, stepped to the plate and drilled a pitch just over the centerfield fence for a game-winning three-run home run. It was only House's fourth of the season and only the fourth surrendered by Jones in 114 innings in the circle this year.
Tech took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning against San Jose State starter Amanda Pridmore. Dacia Hale led the frame off with a solo home run just over the left field fence, giving the Lady Techsters a 1-0 advantage. It was Hale's team-leading fifth of the season.
San Jose State answered in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Jones walked two batters and allowed a single to load the bases and Annica Wolfe tied the game at 1-1 on a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Neither pitcher surrendered another run until the 10th inning when both teams scored.
Jones took the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and four walks w while striking out four. Pridmore (10-7) picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on four hits with 11 strikeouts.
Hale, Kipp, Janna Frandrup and Goff each registered one hit for Tech.
In the second game of the day, the Lady Techsters never recovered as San Jose State scored in four of its six at bats to pick up the win.
The Spartans scored two off Tech starter Erin Kipp in the first and then five more off Goff in relief the rest of the way.
Freshman pitcher Madison Fish recorded her best performance of the season, allowing only one hit and two walks in the complete-game performance for the Spartans. Amanda Krueger singled in the third inning for the only hit of the game for Tech.
The two teams are scheduled to play the third and final game of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. CT but the weather forecast is calling for rain all day. A decision on the game will be made in the morning.