Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Freshman Karlee Jensen recorded a two-out, two-run single in the top of the 10th inning to lift Louisiana Tech to a 3-1 win over Southern Miss propelling the Lady Techsters to a Conference USA doubleheader sweep Saturday at USM Softball Complex.

Tech (18-8, 3-2 C-USA) won the first game of the day 4-2.

"I am certainly proud of both wins," said Tech head coach Mark Montgomery. "I feel like we had a lot of opportunities and it is easy to get frustrated in that scenario, but I think in both games we stayed the course and found a way to win. I am proud of them for that.

"I thought Bianca was outstanding today. She is really becoming a great leader for us in the circle. She stayed composed. Even after throwing a couple of bad pitches, she made sure she threw the next pitch the best she could. That is what allowed her to be successful."

Senior Bianca Duran recorded arguably her most impressive performance in a LA Tech uniform, recording both wins in the circle on the day, including a complete-game, six-hitter in the 10-inning marathon victory.

The two teams are scheduled to complete the three-game series with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. weather-permitting.

Game 1 (LA Tech 4, Southern Miss 2)

Anna Cross hit a two-run home run in the first inning, Bianca Duran worked five strong innings in the circle and Pauline Tufi recorded a program record fifth save of the year in the 4-2 win.

Cross hit her third home run in five games in the top of the first inning, giving the Lady Techsters an early advantage. Tori Charters singled with one out off USM starter Danielle Block and Cross followed with a two-run shot over the left field wall off a full-count pitch.

Southern Miss responded in the bottom of the second inning, plating one run on three hits as a bases loaded infield single with two outs cut the Tech advantage to 2-1. However, Duran got a great defensive play by Cross at third base on a line drive by Morgan McKeever to end the threat and keep the lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, Tech added onto its lead. With two outs, Janine Godwin was hit by a pitch and Katie Smith walked and then Karlee Jensen singled up the middle scoring Godwin and upping the advantage to 3-1.

The Lady Techsters upped the lead to 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Cross reached on an error and Krysta Tutsch was hit by a pitch. Duran then hit a shot that hit of the top of the centerfield fence, scoring Cross from second base. Tutsch was thrown out at home trying to score on the play but Tech led 4-1.

USM answered in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring a run on two hits as the lead was cut to 4-2.

Pauline Tufi came on in relief of Duran in the sixth inning. USM was unable to scratch for a run against Tufi in the sixth, but then tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh. Bailey Stokes walked and with two outs, Tech committed its only error of the day putting runners on first and third with two outs. However, Tufi induced an infield popup from Sarah Evans to end the game.

Duran (11-6) picked up the win, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk in 5.0 innings of action. Tufi (5) picked up her fifth save of the year, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings allowing only one run and one walk. The five saves are a single season record for LA Tech.

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

Game 2 (LA Tech 3, Southern Miss 1 - 10 innings)

Bianca Duran kept Southern Miss' bats at bay for 10 innings and freshman Karlee Jensen came up with the biggest hit of her young collegiate career, sending the Lady Techsters to a game two victory.

Krysta Tutsch gave Tech the early advantage, hitting her team-leading ninth home run of the season deep over the right field fence in the top of the second inning for a 1-0 lead.

Tech appeared as if it would add on to its lead in the top of the fourth inning. Katie Smith and Jensen recorded one out singles and Katelynn Cook induced a walk to load the bases with two outs for Anna Cross. Following a pitching change by Southern Miss, Anna Cross hit a line drive down the third base line that USM third baseman Michelle Stringer caught, taking extra bases and multiple runs away for LA Tech.

USM then tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Golden Eagles recorded back-to-back-to-back singles off Duran to tie the game and put runners on first and third with no outs. However, Tutsch threw out pinch runner Peyton Garner trying to steal second base for the first out. Duran then induced back-to-back ground balls back to the circle to end the threat as the game remained tied.

Tech continued to put runners on base but USM reliever Danielle Block prevented the Lady Techsters from recording a run-scoring hit as the game remained tied at 1-1 into extra innings. Duran was masterful in the circle, retiring 12 straight USM batters before Samantha Reynolds singled in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Lady Techsters finally broke through in the 10th inning. Tutsch laid down a bunt single and Duran followed with a single, forcing another pitching change by USM as Shelbee Rodgers entered the game with one out. Janine Godwin walked to load the bases and after a ground ball out where USM threw pinch runner Natalie Moran out at home, Jensen stepped up to the plate with two outs.

Jensen promptly singled up the middle, scoring Godwin and pinch runner Lindsey Neyland and giving Tech a 3-1 lead.

Duran was perfect in the bottom of the 10th inning, retiring all three batters to seal the win.

Duran pitched all 10 innings, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out two.

Offensively, Tech was led by Jensen (3-5, 2 RBI), Duran (2-5), Tutsch (2-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR), Cross (1-4), Neyland (run), Godwin (run) and Smith (1-5).