Box Score

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Junior Krysta Tutsch hit a three-run home run and freshman Carolina Sanchez picked up her second win of the year in the circle to lead Louisiana Tech to a 7-3 victory over UT-Martin Saturday at the February Freezer in Starkville.

Tutsch's third home run of the season - a three-run shot - came in the bottom of the first inning and gave the Lady Techsters an early 3-0 advantage. Anna Cross and Tori Charters both opened the game with singles and two outs later, Tutsch gave LA Tech the lead.

UT-Martin (5-3) answered in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on one hit and one error as the Skyhawks cut the deficit to 3-2.

However, the Lady Techsters responded in the bottom of the third inning. Charters walked, Pauline Tufi doubled and Tutsch walked to load the bases. Bianca Duran then doubled to left centerfield, scoring Charters and Tufi to up the lead to 5-2. Janine Godwin then recorded an RBI ground out scoring Tutsch for the third run of the frame.

Tech added one more run on a successful double steal as Lindsey Neyland scored from third on the play.

UT Martin only recorded two more base runners against Sanchez over the next two frames as the freshman kept the Skyhawks at bay.

Tufi came on in relief of Sanchez in the top of the sixth innings with runners on second and third and no outs. She induced a ground out to second, struck out the following batter and then Tech recorded the third out on an attempted steal by UT-Martin to end the threat.

UT Martin added one run on three hits in the top of the seventh inning before Tufi retired the final two batters by strikeout.

Sanchez (2-0) picked up the win, allowing two runs - one earned - on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.0 innings of action.

Offensively, Cross (2-4, 2 SB), Charters (1-3, 2 runs), Tufi (1-3, 1 run), Kristen Miles (1 run), Tutsch (1-1, 1 run, 3 RBI), Duran (1-2, 2 RBI), Neyland (1 run), and Godwin (1 RBI) all contributed to the win.