Box Score March 29, 2015 Box Score | Photo Gallery 
RUSTON - Charlotte scored a pair of unearned runs in the sixth inning and then held off a Louisiana Tech rally in the seventh to defeat the Lady Techsters 2-1 in the final game of the Conference USA series in Ruston Sunday afternoon.
With the win, Charlotte (16-15, 5-4 C-USA) won the series taking two out of three games against the Lady Techsters (21-10, 5-4 C-USA).
LA Tech starter Bianca Duran and Charlotte starter Lexi Betancourt battled pitch for pitch in the circle all afternoon as neither offense was able to plate a run in the first five innings.
Tech's best opportunity early in the game came in the bottom of the first inning as Tori Charters and Anna Cross both drew one out walks to put runners on first and second. However, Betancourt struck out Pauline Tufi and then got a fly ball to centerfield from Kassie Harris to get out of the jam.
Betancourt would allow only one base runner over the next five innings on Karlee Jensen's leadoff single in the bottom of the third. However, Kristen Miles popped up to Betancourt in the circle who then doubled off pinch runner Casey Ingram on first base.
Duran was just as stellar. The senior allowed only three base runners through the first five innings as the 49ers best chance to score game in the top of the fifth. However, Jensen threw out Grace Beatty at home keeping the scoreless game intact.
Charlotte finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Although the 49ers recorded three singles in the frame, it was two Tech defensive miscues that allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate.
Tech rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Cross singled to shortstop and then advanced to second base on a ground out by Tufi and scored on Harris' RBI single up the middle. After a ground out by Duran, Janine Godwin singled to center field as Tech had runners on first and second with two outs.
Freshman Katie Smith then drove a pitch to right field that was caught for the final out of the game.
Duran (11-8) took the loss despite allowing zero earned runs on six hits and no walks while striking out two.
Tech returns to action next weekend when it hosts UTEP in a three-game C-USA series Friday and Saturday.
