April 17, 2013

Box Score

Montgomery Postgame

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech jumped out to an early lead but watched Southeastern Louisiana score eight unanswered runs as the Lions defeated the Lady Techsters 8-2 Wednesday afternoon at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Tech (21-20) took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against SLU pitcher Taylor Bishop. Amanda Krueger led off with a walk and advanced to second on an infield single by Kristen Miles. Both runners moved over on a ground out by Anna Cross and then scored on Melanie Goff's two-run single to left centerfield.

The Lady Techsters appeared poised to add to its lead when Lions rightfielder Katie Lacour made a diving catch along the right field line, robbing Janna Frandrup of an extra base hit and an RBI.

Tech maintained its 2-0 lead until the top of the fourth inning when SLU designated player Amber Sather registered her team-leading ninth home run of the year, a solo blast to right centerfield, cutting the Tech advantage to 2-1.

SLU (27-16) tied the game later in the fourth inning when Vanessa Eng doubled to left centerfield, scoring Katie Doyle on the play. However, Tech threw out the potential go-ahead run as Dacia Hale hit Michelle Jones on the cutoff who then fired home to Alayna Kipp for the out.

With the scored tied at 2-2, the Lady Techster defense began to unravel as a throwing error to lead off the top of the fifth inning allowed Kayla Elswick to reach base to begin the inning. After Jones relieved Cross in the circle with one out in the frame, Doyle singled to load the bases and Megan Moore walked to force the go-ahead run home giving SLU a 3-2 lead.

Tech had an opportunity to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth, but Amanda Krueger was thrown out at home on a bang-bang play on Cross' single to right field as the Lions maintained their one-run advantage.

Southeastern Louisiana then exploded for five runs on five hits and two costly LA Tech errors in the top of the seventh inning to blow the game wide open. Only two of the five runs were earned in the frame as SLU took an 8-2 lead.

Bishop (5-6) retired Tech in order in the bottom of the frame for the win.

Cross (5-5) took the loss, allowing three runs - two earned - on six hits and two walks in 4.1 innings of action.

Offensively, Miles (2-3, 1 run), Goff (1-3, 2 RBI), Cross (1-3) and Krueger (0-1, 2 BB, 1 run) led the Lady Techsters.

Tech returns to action Friday when it opens its three-game WAC road series at Utah State with a 3 p.m. doubleheader.