April 27, 2013
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
RUSTON - Hayley Staton tossed seven strong innings to lead UTSA to a 4-1 win over Louisiana Tech Saturday afternoon at the Lady Techster Softball Complex as the Roadrunners capture the rubber game of the three-game series.
With the loss, LA Tech falls to 23-24 on the season and 8-10 in Western Athletic Conference action while UTSA improved to 25-22, 8-10 in league play.
After Staton and Tech starter Melanie Goff tossed a scoreless first couple of innings, the Lady Techsters broke out on top when Dacia Hale belted a solo home run deep over the left field wall in the bottom of the third inning, giving the Lady Techsters a 1-0 lead.
It was Hale's sixth home run of the season - tying for the team lead - and the 14th of her two-year LA Tech career.
Tech's lead was short-lived as UTSA tied the game up with a single run in the top of the fourth inning. Courtney Buchman led the frame off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on Megan Low's single to centerfield.
The Lady Techsters had a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning as Erin Kipp singled to lead off the frame. However, Kipp was erased when Mel Goff struck out swinging and Kipp was thrown out at second by Low trying to steal. With two outs and the bases empty, Janna Frandrup was hit by a pitch and then Alayna Kipp followed with a single to right field to put runners on the corner.
Staton worked out of the jam, getting Meghan Knowles to line out to right field for the final out of the frame.
UTSA then took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth, capitalizing on a two-out throwing error by Goff on a ground ball back to the circle, allowing pinch runner Cossette Hernandez to score from second base.
Staton held Tech in check from that point forward, allowing only one base runner - a lead-off walk to Frandrup in the bottom of the seventh - while UTSA scored single runs in the top of the sixth and seventh to pull out the 4-1 win.
Goff (2-5) took the loss, allowing three runs - two earned - on seven hits and two walks while striking out two in 6.0 innings of action.
Offensively, Tech was led by Hale (1-2, HR, 1 RBI, 1 run), Kristen Miles (1-3), Erin Kipp (1-3) and Alayna Kipp (1-3).
The Lady Techsters return to action next weekend when they travel to face Seattle in the WAC regular season finale. Tech needs to win one game to clinch a berth in the upcoming WAC Tournament which will be held in Ruston May 8-11.
