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RUSTON - Louisiana Tech got impressive pitching performances from Bianca Duran, Bailey Allen and Pauline Tufi and a timely three-run home run from Anna Cross to sweep a Saturday Conference USA doubleheader, defeating North Texas 3-0 and 4-1 at the Lady Techster Softball complex Saturday.

Tech (28-15, 11-6 C-USA) and North Texas (16-26, 8-11) will complete the three game series Sunday at 1 p.m. Prior to Sunday's first pitch, seniors Bianca Duran and Janine Godwin will be honored on the field for their contributions to the LA Tech program during their college careers.

Game 1 (LA Tech 3, North Texas 0)

Bianca Duran tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout and added a solo home run as the Lady Techsters defeated North Texas 3-0 in the first game of the day.

Duran allowed only four base runners in the game on two singles, a hit by pitch and an infield error although the Mean Green never had multiple base runners in any inning in the game. North Texas had only one base runner reach second base all day.

While Duran was keeping North Texas' bats quiet, Tech scratched for three runs against Mean Green starter Monique Garcia. Tech plated the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the second inning as Krysta Tutsch was hit by a pitch and pinch runner Casey Ingram moved to second on a single by Duran up the middle.

Janine Godwin then followed with a line drive single to right field, scoring Ingram from second and giving LA Tech a 1-0 lead. Freshman Katie Smith then followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Duran from third for the second run of the frame.

Behind Duran's commanding performance in the circle, the game remained 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Duran hit her eighth home run of the season just inside the left field foul pole, adding an insurance run that wouldn't be needed.

North Texas got a two-out single in the seventh but Duran retired the final batter on strikes to pick up the win. Duran (14-11) allowed only two hits and no walks while striking out three in the win.

Offensively, Tech was led by Duran (2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Godwin (2-3, 1 RBI), Tori Charters (1-3), Anna Cross (1-3, 1 SB), Smith (1 RBI) and Ingram (1 run).

Game 2 (LA Tech 4, North Texas 1)

Bailey Allen and Pauline Tufi combined for an impressive performance in the circle and Anna Cross provided the fireworks with her three-run blast in the bottom of the fifth inning as LA Tech completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-1 win.

With the game tied at 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth, Karlee Jensen drew a one-out walk and moved to second with pinch hitter Taylor Brintzenhoff was hit by a pitch. With two outs and runners on first and second, Cross drilled a 2-2 pitch deep over the left centerfield wall for a 3-run blast - her sixth home run of the season.

Tufi came on in relief of Allen following a leadoff double by North Texas centerfielder Kat Strunk in the top of the sixth and promptly retired three straight batters to end the threat. Tufi then closed the game out in the seventh, picking up her single season record setting sixth save of the year.

Tech took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Kristen Miles walked and moved to second on a ground out by Tori Charters. Cross then lined a single up the middle, scoring Miles from second and giving Tech the advantage.

North Texas answered in the top of the second inning on a two-out double by Karly Williams, tying the game at 1-1.

The Mean Green had a chance to take the lead in the third inning, loading the bases with two outs. However, Allen induced a ground ball out to first base to end the threat.

Allen (7-2) picked up the win, allowing one runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in 5.0 innings of action. Tufi tossed the final 2.0 innings, allowing one hit while striking out one.

Offensively, Tech was led by Cross (2-3, 1 run, 4 RBI), Charters (1-2, 1 run), Miles (1 run), Kassie Harris (1-3), Bianca Duran (1-3) and Jensen (1-1, 1 run).