April 6, 2012

Box Score | Photo Gallery

RUSTON - Janna Frandrup and Katelynn Hill each drove in two runs and Michelle Jones recorded another stellar performance in the circle to lead Louisiana Tech to a 6-2 win over defending Western Athletic Conference champion New Mexico State Friday night at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Frandrup gave Tech (16-19, 3-3) the momentum early, hitting a two-run home run off Aggies starter Alex Newman in the bottom of the first inning as the Lady Techsters took the 2-0 lead. Frandrup's home run - her second of the season - came after Amanda Krueger drew a one-out walk.

Jones held the potent Aggies lineup in check for most of the night. After surrendering a two-out double in the top of the first inning to Valerie Swedberg, Jones didn't allow another hit until the top of the fifth inning.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the top of the fifth, NMSU centerfielder Staci Rodriguez led off with a bloop single and then Malena Padilla reached on a fielding error by Frandrup as the Aggies had runners on first and second with no outs.

However, Jones got pinch hitter Tina Cisneros to hit a ground ball to shortstop Melanie Goff, who tagged Rodriguez for the first out and then fired it across the diamond to first baseman Meghan Knowles, who made a great scoop for the double play. After Tiare Jennings walked to put runners on first and second, Jones got Amber Olive to pop up to second base for the final out of the frame.

Tech used the momentum in the bottom half of the fifth inning, scoring three runs on three hits and one error to increase its lead to 5-0.

Krueger drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single to right field by Frandrup. Goff then doubled to right centerfield, scoring Krueger as Frandrup was thrown out at home trying to score for the second out of the inning. After Erin Kipp reached on a fielding error by Aggies third baseman Briana Tovio-Asato to put runners on first and second, Hill hit a two-run double to right centerfield to make the score 5-0.

Tech added one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Lady Techsters recorded five hits off reliever Celisha Walker. Cassie Krieg, Kendra Harmon, Krueger, Goff and Kipp all recorded singles in the inning with Kipp driving in the lone run.

NMSU didn't go away quietly in the top of the seventh as the Aggies scored two runs one two hits and one Tech error. However, Jones recorded the final out on a comebacker to the circle to pick up her 10th win of the season.

Jones (10-9) allowed only two runs - one earned - on four hits and three walks while striking out two.

Newman (9-11) took the loss, allowing five runs - three earned - on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts.

Frandrup (2 hits, 2 RBI), Goff (2 hits, 1 RBI), Hill (1 hit, 2 RBI), Kipp (1 hit, 1 RBI), Alayna Kipp (1 hit), Krieg (1 hit), Harmon (1 hit) and Krueger (1 hit, 2 runs) led Tech's 10-hit attack.

The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m.