Box Score Game 1

Box Score Game 2

RUSTON - Pauline Tufi hit a pair of home runs and freshman Bailey Allen pitched a complete-game gem as Louisiana Tech split its Conference USA series doubleheader against Florida Atlantic Saturday at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

Florida Atlantic (20-7-1, 1-1 C-USA) used a four-run fifth inning to win the first game of the day 5-4 while Louisiana Tech (16-6, 1-1 C-USA) used a four-run fifth inning to claim the second game 6-1.

"We came close in the first game today," said Tech head coach Mark Montgomery. "We made a couple of little mistakes that cost us a run here or there both offensively and defensively. I thought the process was good throughout. I thought the kids really showed their will and their heart and came back in the second game. We struck first again which I like and played a great game. Bailey Allen pitched wonderfully and Pauline right now is a terror at the plate."

The two teams will return to the diamond Sunday for the rubber game with the first pitch slated for 12 p.m.

"Against Florida Atlantic it is extremely important (to try to win two out of three)," said Montgomery. "This team is going to beat a lot of quality teams in this conference. They are still receiving votes in both Top 25 polls. They are dangerous. I think we did well today. Their pitching is their strength. We saw all three of their best pitchers today. We are going to see somebody tomorrow that we already faced today so I'm excited about that."

Game 1 - Florida Atlantic 5, LA Tech 4

Florida Atlantic used a four-run fifth inning highlighted by Laura Mann's three-run home to run down Louisiana Tech 5-4 in the first game of the doubleheader.

Mann, who finished the game 3-for-3 with two doubles and a home run, pulled an offering from Tech reliever Pauline Tufi down the right field line, just staying fair and capping the four-run frame. Tech led 2-1 heading into the frame as Tech starter Bianca Duran kept the Owls bats a bay over the first four innings.

However, Duran surrendered a solo home run to Carnesha Thompson with one out in the top of the fifth inning that tied the game. Emily Lochten followed with a single and Mickey Bell walked to put runners on first and second for Florida Atlantic.

Montgomery made the pitching change as Tufi entered the game. However, Mann greeted her abruptly with the home run, her third of the season as FAU led 5-2.

Tech responded in the bottom of the fifth inning against FAU reliever Kylee Hanson. Kristen Miles singled with two outs and then Anna Cross drilled a full-count offering over the left field wall for a two-run home run, her first of the season. The deficit was cut to 5-4.

Tech had one final opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kassie Harris walked and with two outs, Miles singled down the left field line putting runners on first and second. Cross came to plate and hit a sharp grounder back up the middle that Hanson knocked down, recovered and then threw to first for the final out of the game.

The Lady Techsters took an early 1-0 lead on the strength of a Tufi solo home run over the left centerfield wall in the bottom of the first inning. After FAU tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third, Tech answered in the bottom on a sacrifice fly by Tufi to right field, scoring Miles from third base.

Duran (9-6) was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks in 4.1 innings of action. Hanson (7-1) picked up the win, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out eight over the final 4.0 innings.

Offensively, Tech was led by Cross (2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR), Tufi (1-2, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR), Miles (2-2, 2 runs) and Charters (1-3).

Game 2 - LA Tech 6, Florida Atlantic 1

Pauline Tufi hit a grand slam following a controversial overturned triple play and Bailey Allen cruised in the circle, leading Louisiana Tech to a 6-1 win in the second game of the day.

With Tech leading 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lady Techsters got back-to-back bunt singles from Kristen Miles and Anna Cross to open the frame. Tori Charters then attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt and popped the bunt into the air where FAU third baseman Carnesha Thompson made a diving attempt at the catch in front of home plate.

Thompson trapped the ball and all three Tech runners advanced safely. However, home plate umpire Danny Bowman ruled the play as a catch and Florida Atlantic tagged first and second base in what appeared to be a triple play to end the inning.

Tech coach Mark Montgomery appealed the call, the umpiring crew met and the call was overturned, leaving the Lady Techsters with the bases loaded and no outs. Tufi then stepped to the plate and on the second pitch from FAU starter Samantha Messer, drilled a grand slam over the left centerfield fence giving Tech a 5-0 lead.

"From a triple play to a grand slam, your luck can change that fast," Montgomery said. "It was a great attempt, but she didn't catch it. The umpire was blocked from the play, rule it incorrectly, we appealed and they eventually got it right. Even though there was a little controversy they got it right at the end of the day and that's what matters."

The blast was the only additional run support Bailey needed in the circle. Making just her second appearance of the season, the freshman was in complete control throughout the game, retiring the first 11 batters she faced.

Thompson recorded a two-out single in the top of the fourth inning for FAU for the first baserunner of the game against Allen. In the top of the fifth with Tech clinging to a 1-0 lead, Allen allowed two base runners but induced an inning ending ground out to third base to keep the advantage.

With Tech leading 5-0, Allen surrendered a run on a two-out single in the top of the sixth - the first run allowed by her in 11 innings of work.

Tech added a single run in the sixth inning as FAU committed a pair of errors to begin the frame and Anna Cross laid down a bunt single scoring a run.

Allen (2-0) picked up the win, allowing only one run on four hits (all singles) and three walks while striking out six batters.

"Bailey wasn't able to play for us the first few weeks of the season," Montgomery said. "Having her back for us now gives us a staff of four that we really want. She was able to show today what we knew we had all along. She was able to go out today and throw an extremely good game."

Messer (5-4), the preseason Conference USA Pitcher of the Year, took the loss, allowing six runs - five earned - on 10 hits and two walks.

Offensively, Tech was led by Cross (3-4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Charters (1-2, 2 runs), Tufi (1-4, 1 run, 4 RBI, HR), Duran (1-3, 1 RBI), Katie Smith (1-3), Jensen (run) and Miles (2-2, 1 run).