Box Score

JACKSON, Miss. - Bianca Duran tossed five scoreless innings and Anna Cross roped a bases clearing double that highlighted a four-run second inning to lead Louisiana Tech to a 5-3 victory over Jackson State Wednesday at JSU Softball Complex.

Tech (3-3) defeated the Tigers (2-4), who came into the game riding a two-game winning streak after defeating Houston and Houston Baptist this past weekend.

"Jackson State is well coached," said Tech head coach Mark Montgomery. "They beat Houston this past weekend. I thought their outfielders made some great plays on some balls that kept them in the game. I thought we did a great job of jumping out on them early. This game really wasn't as close as the final score indicates. We had so many chances to score and they only had three hits the entire night. We made a couple of errors that allowed them to keep it close."

Tech didn't waste any time taking the lead. In the top of the second inning, Krysta Tutsch and Bianca Duran recorded back-to-back singles to start the frame. Pinch runner Kristen Miles then gave Tech a 1-0 lead on Janine Godwin's RBI single to left field.

One out later, Karlee Jensen walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Cross' bases-clearing double to left centerfield. Tech led 4-0 through two innings.

Duran (2-3) then put it in cruise control. After a two-out error in the bottom of the second inning allowed a runner to reach for Jackson State, Duran retired 10 straight batters.

Tech added an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning. Karris Harris singled and then scored on Duran's RBI double to centerfield, giving the Lady Techsters a 5-0 advantage.

Pauline Tufi came on in relief of Duran in the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first base, Tufi appeared as if she would get out of the inning unscathed. However, an error by second baseman Courtney Lowe allowed the runner to score from first base and then a Tufi wild pitch allowed a second unearned to cross the plate.

Jackson State added one more run in the seventh on a leadoff solo home run. However, Tufi then retired the final three batters to seal the victory.

Duran (2-3) picked up the win, allowing only one hit and no walks in 5.0 innings of action.

Offensively, Cross (2-4, 3 RBI, 1 SB), Duran (2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Harris (2-4, 1 run, 1 SB), Tufi (1-3), Tutsch (1-3), Godwin (1-2, 1 run, 1 RBI), Jensen (1 run) and Miles (1 run) all contributed at the plate.

The Lady Techsters return to action Thursday when they face Mississippi State at 4 p.m. in Starkville. It's the first game of the February Freezer hosted by the SEC Bulldogs and LA Tech is slated to play four games in three days. To see a complete listing of the weekend's contest, log onto LATechSports.com.