April 28, 2012

Box Score Game 1

Box Score Game 2

Dawson Audio

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech recorded a season-high 16 hits to defeat Nevada 10-2 in six innings in the first game of a doubleheader split with the Wolf Pack Saturday as the Lady Techsters moved closer to clinching a berth in the upcoming 2012 Western Athletic Conference Tournament.

Nevada won the second game 5-0 as the Wolf Pack (21-31, 9-9) took two out of three in the series from the Lady Techsters (20-28, 7-10 WAC). In order to be one of the six teams that qualify for the league tournament scheduled for May 9-12 in Las Cruces, Tech needs either a Utah State loss or one more win in league play.

Utah State would have to win all five remaining games, including a doubleheader at New Mexico State today and a sweep of Top 20 ranked Hawaii next weekend, and have LA Tech lose its final three next weekend in Fresno State. That is the only scenario remaining that would prevent the Lady Techsters from competing in the league tournament that takes only the top six teams in the eight-team conference.

In the first game of the day, Tech trailed 2-1 before scoring two runs in the fifth and seven runs in the sixth to run-rule the Wolf Pack, who entered the game on a four-game winning streak.

Tech took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Erin Kipp to right field that scored younger sister Alayna Kipp, who had reached after being hit by a pitch. Tech had an opportunity to add more but Nevada starter Bailey Brewer got Amanda Krueger to line out to centerfield and Janna Frandrup to ground out to second base to leave the bases loaded.

Nevada answered in the top of the third inning, plating two runs on four hits, including a 2-run single by Lauren Lastrapes as the Wolf Pack led 2-1.

The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the fifth when Dacia Hale reached on an infield single to third base, scoring pinch runner Janine Godwin to tie the game. Tricia Van Winkle then followed with an RBI double to left centerfield, scoring Hale from first as Tech retook a 3-2 lead.

Tech exploded offensively in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring seven runs on seven hits and one error. Erin Kipp led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Krueger through the right side. Frandrup then singled up the middle, scoring Kipp to make the score 4-2. Melanie Goff then doubled down the right field line, plating one more run and after Meghan Knowles was hit by a pitch, Hale followed with a two-run single to centerfield, making the score 7-2.

Van Winkle walked to load the bases and Cassie Krieg recorded an RBI groundout to first, scoring Knowles from third. Kendra Harmon then singled to right field, scoring a run as the lead increased to 9-2. Erin Kipp then reached on an infield single to shortstop and Van Winkle scored the final run with Karley Hopkins throw to first was wide, allowing the final run to cross the plate.

Erin Kipp led Tech with a 4-for-4 performance while Hale was 2-for-3 with three RBI. Frandrup (2-for-4, 1 RBI), Goff (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Jones (2-for-3) and Harmon (2-for-4, 1 RBI) all recorded multi-hit games while Krueger (1-for-4) and Van Winkle (1-for-2, 1 RBI) also registered hits.

Jones (13-12) picked up the win in the circle, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks in the complete-game performance.

In game two of the day, Karlyn Jones pitched a five-hit complete-game shutout as the Wolf Pack won 5-0.

Nevada scored one in the first, three in the second and one more in the fourth as Melanie Goff (0-5) took the loss. Goff allowed four runs on six hits in 3.0 innings of action before Frandrup came on to pitch the final 4.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits.

Jones kept Tech in check offensively, allowing only one inning - the bottom of the seventh - where Tech put multiple runners on base.

Goff (1-for-3), Erin Kipp (1-for-2), Harmon (1-for-3), Katelynn Hill (1-for-1) and Cassie Krieg (1-for-1) each registered hits for Tech.

The Lady Techsters return to action Monday when they host McNeese State at 4 p.m. in a non-conference doubleheader.