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RUSTON - Bianca Duran and Bailey Allen both recorded complete game performances to lead Louisiana Tech to a 8-0 and 2-1 doubleheader sweep over UTEP Friday afternoon in Conference USA softball action at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

With the wins, Tech is now 23-10 on the season and improved to 7-4 in league play while UTEP fell to 10-26 on the year, 5-7 in C-USA action.

The two teams will return to the field Saturday at 11 a.m. in the third and final game of the series.

Game 1 (LA Tech 8, UTEP 0 - 5 innings)

Louisiana Tech scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back as the Lady Techster run-ruled UTEP 8-0 in five innings in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

Tech (23-10, 7-4 C-USA) chased UTEP starter Kaitlin Fifield after one inning as the Lady Techsters score five runs on five hits in the bottom of the frame. Kristen Miles and Anna Cross bookended a bunt single by Tori Charters to load the bases and then Pauline Tufi plated the first run with an RBI ground out.

Kassie Harris then followed with a two-run single up the middle, scoring both Charters and Cross to increase the Tech lead to 3-0. Bianca Duran reached on a fielder's choice ground out, advanced to third on a double by Janine Godwin and then Katie Smith drove both runners home with a single as Tech grabbed a commanding 5-0 lead.

The run support would be all Duran needed in the circle. After allowing a leadoff triple to UTEP centerfielder Tahla Wade to start the game, Duran retired 11 straight Miners hitters while her team continued to add runs.

Taylor Grohmann relieved Fifield in the bottom of the second inning. Tech welcomed Grohmann rudely as Cross and Tufi recorded back-to-back home runs - both deep over the right centerfield fence to increase the Tech advantage to 7-0.

The Lady Techsters added a single run in the third inning as Harris drew a bases-loaded walk scoring Miles as Tech led 8-0.

Duran cruised until the top of the fifth inning when UTEP loaded the bases , but the Miners weren't able to produce a run scoring hit as Tech picked up the win.

Duran (12-8) picked up the win, allowing only three hits and two walks over 5.0 innings of action.

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

Game 2 (LA Tech 2, UTEP 1 - 9 innings)

The second game of the day was a classic pitcher's duel between Louisiana Tech freshman Bailey Allen and UTEP's Kaitlin Fifield as Lady Techster Kristen Miles came up with game-winning hit in the ninth inning.

Allen and Fifield battled back and forth as neither team was able to generate much offense.

Tech took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Pauline Tufi led the inning off with a single through the left side. Pinch runner Casey Ingram then stole second base and scored on Bianca Duran's single up the middle. The two hits in the frame would be Tech's last until the seventh inning.

Allen was able to keep the 1-0 lead in tact until the top of the sixth inning. With two outs and no one on base, Kawehiokalani Netane hit a deep drive to right centerfield that just cleared the fence, tying the game at 1-1.

The score remained 1-1 and Tech appeared to be poised to win the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Miles singled and Cross and Tufi drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with two outs, but Fifield induced a ground ball out off the bat of Harris to end the threat.

Netane led the top of the ninth inning off with a double to right centerfield but Allen was once again up to the task, retiring three straight Miners batters while stranding the go-ahead run on second base.

In the bottom of the ninth, Janine Godwin singled with one out and Katie Smith was hit by a pitch. Karlee Jensen then drew a walk to load the bases for Miles. With a drawn in UTEP infield, Miles lined the 2-1 pitch from Fifield right back up the middle and into centerfield, scoring Godwin from third with the game-winning run.

Allen (5-1) picked up the win, allowing only one run on five hits and no walks while striking out four in the 9.0 innings of work. Fifield (6-11) took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two in 8.1 innings of action.

Offensively, Miles (2-5, 1 RBI), Duran (2-4, 1 RBI), Tufi (1-3), Godwin (1-4, 1 run) and Ingram (1 run) led the Lady Techsters.