April 25, 2012

Box Score

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech committed four errors which led to six unearned runs as the Lady Techsters fell 9-3 at home Wednesday evening to Stephen F. Austin in non-conference softball action.

Two of the miscues came during a costly top of the fourth inning when SFA scored five runs - four unearned - to take a 7-3 lead. Errors in the sixth and seventh innings each led to unearned runs as the LadyJacks pulled away for the win, splitting the season series between the two teams.

SFA took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. After Tech starter Erin Kipp retired the first eight batters on only 19 pitches, SFA finally found some success as three straight batters recorded base hits to score the two runs.

Tech (19-26) answered in the bottom of the third inning as Meghan Knowles launched a two-run home run - her fifth of the season - over the centerfield fence, tying the game at 2-2. Alayna Kipp walked and moved to second on a two-out single by Dacia Hale. Michelle Jones then singled to right field, plating Kipp for the go-ahead run.

SFA responded quickly in the top of the fourth as Elizabeth Arana hit a solo home run to lead off the frame to tie the game at 3-3. Jones then relieved Kipp in the circle for Tech and promptly surrendered a single.

However, the next two SFA batters reached on errors to open the flood gates as the Jacks took the 7-3 lead.

Jones (12-12) was tagged with the loss, allowing six runs - none earned - on five hits and three walks in 4.0 innings of action.

Amanda Krueger was 2-for-4 at the plate with her team-leading 12th double of the year while Knowles was 1-for-2 with the home run and two RBI. Hale was 1-for-2 with a walk and Jones 1-for-3 with the RBI.

Tech returns to action this weekend when it hosts a three-game series against Nevada starting Friday night at 6 p.m.