April 9, 2014

Box Score

HAMMOND, La. - Anna Cross hit a three-run home run and Bianca Duran and Pauline Tufi combined to pitch a shutout as Louisiana Tech defeated Southeastern Louisiana 7-0 at North Oak Park Wednesday evening.

Cross gave the Lady Techsters (15-25) an early lead with a two-out, three-run shot in the top of the second inning off of Lions starter Spencer Adkinson. The home run - Cross' third of the year - came following a Courtney Lowe single and a Tori Charters walk with two outs. Cross then line Adkinson's offering over the left centerfield fence, giving Tech the lead.

Duran worked a scoreless four innings after getting the start in the circle. The junior pitched around base runners throughout the first four frames as Southeastern stranded seven base runners during that time.

Tufi came on in relief in the fifth inning and worked around base runners in her first two innings. After allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth, Tufi recorded three straight strikeouts to end the threat.

Adkinson held Tech to only one hit from the third through the sixth innings - a Pauline Tufi single in the top of the fifth frame.

However, Tech finally put the game away in the top of the seventh inning. Cross led the inning off with a walk and advanced to second on Kristen Miles single to centerfield. Tufi then followed with an RBI single up the middle - her third hit of the game - upping Tech's advantage to 4-0. After Pauline Tufi walked to load the bases, an Adkinson wild pitch allowed Miles to score as the lead increased to 5-0.

Janine Godwin then followed with a two-run single down the right field line, scoring Tufi and pinch runner Taylor Penn with the final two runs of the inning.

Tufi retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh, earning her first save of the season. Tufi allowed one hit and one walk while striking out four in 3.0 innings of action.

Duran (5-15) picked up the win, allowing only four singles and one walk in 4.0 innings.

Cross (2-3, 2 run, 3 RBI), Tufi (3-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Miles (1-3, 1 run), Godwin (1-4, 2 RBI), Hailey Winter (1-4), Lowe (1-4, 1 run), Charters (1 run), and Penn (1 run) led Tech offensively.

Adkinson (4-4) took the loss, allowing seven runs - all earned - on eight hits and five walks.