May 10, 2012

Box Score

Listen Live (Nevada Game)

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - After scoring a record 17 runs in its win over Fresno State, Louisiana Tech's bats went silent in a 6-1 loss to No. 2 seed BYU Thursday afternoon in the second day of the 2012 Western Athletic Conference Tournament at New Mexico State Softball Complex.

With the loss, Tech falls into the loser's bracket and will face Nevada Friday at 12:30 p.m. CT in a game that can be heard though an internet only broadcast at www.latechsports.com.

BYU scored three runs in the third and three more in the fifth against LA Tech starter Michelle Jones, who fell to 15-16 on the season with the loss. Jones allowed six runs - four earned - on seven hits and four walks in 5.0 innings of action. Janna Frandrup pitched the final inning in relief without allowing a hit or walk.

Tech had an early opportunity to take the lead as BYU starter Tori Almond walked the bases loaded with only one out in the top of the first. However, Almond induced a ground ball double play by Dacia Hale to end the threat.

BYU final broke out on top on the third. With two outs and the bases empty, Jessica Dugas recorded an infield single and then Tiffany Messerschmid walked. JC Clayton then followed with an RBI single and Delaney Willard added a two-run double as the Cougars built a 3-0 lead.

Tech finally broke through on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth as Jones led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Amanda Krueger then hit a ground ball that BYU second baseman Stacie Toney booted, allowing Jones to score to cut the advantage to 3-1.

However, BYU responded with three runs on three hits and two costly Tech errors in the bottom of the fifth to put the game away.

Jones, Melanie Goff and Katelynn Hill registered hits for LA Tech.