Box Score

RUSTON - Florida Atlantic used a six-run fifth inning to down Louisiana Tech 8-4 in the third and final game of a three-game Conference USA series at the Lady Techster Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, FAU (21-7-1, 2-1 C-USA) took the series, winning two out of three from Louisiana Tech (16-7, 1-2 C-USA) following Saturday's doubleheader split.

A throwing error in the six-run fifth inning opened the door for Florida Atlantic and the Owls responded, scoring five unearned runs following the miscue. With FAU leading 2-1 heading into the top of the fifth inning, Tatum Buckley led the frame off with a solo home run over the centerfield fence off Tech reliever Bailey Allen.

One out later Lindsey Shell singled. Christina Martinez then followed with a fly out to Janine Godwin in centerfield and Shell was standing on second base when the catch was made. Godwin fired a strike into second baseman Karlee Jensen, who had Shell easily doubled off first but her throw hit the runners back and rolled into the FAU dugout.

Instead of Tech being out of the inning down 3-1, Shell was granted third base with two outs. Allen was unable to close the door as Carnesha Thompson doubled to left center, scoring Shell as the lead increased to 4-1. Emily Lochten then singled to centerfield, scoring Thompson from second base.

After Allen hit FAU batter Lauren Mann with a pitch to put runners on first and second, Tech head coach Mark Montgomery made a pitching change bringing in Pauline Tufi. Mickey Bell greeted Tufi with a three-run home run to left field as the lead ballooned to 8-1.

Tech fought back in the bottom of the inning. Tori Charters singled and one out later moved to second on a single by Kristen Miles. Tufi then took FAU starter Kylee Hanson's first pitch and drove it off the scoreboard beyond centerfield for a three-run home run, cutting the Owls lead to 8-4. It was Tufi's third home run of the weekend and her seventh of the season.

After shutting FAU down in the top of the sixth, Tech had an opportunity to cut into the Owls lead even more in the bottom of the inning. Janine Godwin and Kassie Harris drew back-to-back walks with one out and then Charters drove a pitch to the right centerfield gap, but FAU centerfielder Christina Martinez tracked it down for the second out.

Anna Cross, who had homered off of Hanson on Saturday, then came to plate but was called out on strikes to end the threat.

Buckley came on in relief of Hanson in the seventh and worked a perfect frame to seal the win for FAU.

Bianca Duran got the start in the circle for LA Tech, tossing 3.0 innings allowing no runs on one hit and one walk as the two teams were scoreless through the first three innings.

Montgomery then inserted Bailey in the top of the fourth inning after the freshman hurler had recorded an impressive complete-game performance against the Owls on Saturday. However, Florida Atlantic made adjustments at the plate against Allen.

In the top of the fourth, Thompson reached on an error and scored on Mann's two-run home run over the centerfield fence, giving FAU a 2-0 lead.

Tech answered in the bottom of the fourth inning on freshman Katie Smith's solo home run over the left field wall, the first of Smith's collegiate career.

Allen (2-1) took the loss, allowing seven runs - two earned - on six hits in 1.2 innings of action. Hanson (8-1) picked up the win, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight in 6.0 innings.

The Lady Techsters will return to action Wednesday when they travel to Northwestern State for a 6 p.m. single game.