Box Score April 4, 2015 Box Score
RUSTON - Pauline Tufi hit a two-run home run and Bianca Duran pitched her second complete-game shutout of the weekend as Louisiana Tech defeated UTEP 6-0 Saturday at the Lady Techster Softball Complex, completing the three-game sweep against the Miners.
With the sweep, Tech (24-10, 8-4 C-USA) trails UAB and UTSA by only a half game for first place in the Conference USA West Division standings. Tech will travel to Birmingham next weekend for a three-game series against UAB and will face UTSA in the final weekend of the regular season.
Duran (13-8) picked up her second victory in the circle of the weekend allowing only five hits and no walks while striking out one in seven innings of action. Duran and freshman teammate Bailey Allen combined to allow the Miners only one run on 13 hits and 2 walks over 21 innings of work in the circle on the weekend. UTEP batted only .171 as a team.
Tech avenged last year's sweep at the hands of UTEP in a series that saw the Lady Techsters commit 12 errors and allow 32 runs. In this weekend's sweep by LA Tech, the Lady Techsters outscored the Miners 16-1 and committed only one error.
In Saturday's finale, Tech jumped out to an early lead. With two outs and nobody on base in the bottom of the first inning, Anna Cross drew a walk and Tufi followed with a two-run shot that just cleared the left centerfield fence, giving Tech a 2-0 lead. It was Tufi's second home run of the weekend and her ninth of the season.
After leaving the bases loaded without adding to its lead in the second, Tech bounced back in the bottom of the third. Tufi and Kassie Harris both walked and Duran was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Janine Godwin then singled to centerfield, scoring pinch runner Lindsey Neyland and upping its advantage to 3-0.
Following a fielder's choice groundout by Katie Smith, Karlee Jensen singled to left field plating Godwin and Duran as Tech led 5-0. A wild pitch by UTEP starter Danielle Pearson allowed Smith to score the fourth run of the frame.
The 6-run lead was never in jeopardy with Duran in complete control in the circle. Twice UTEP saw its leadoff batter reach third base with no outs but both times Duran retired the next three batters without the runner from third scoring.
Tufi (2-2, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR) and Jensen (2-3, 2 RBI) led Tech offensively while Smith (1-3, 1 run), Godwin (1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Duran (1-2, 1 run) also contributed.
The Lady Techsters will host UL-Monroe Wednesday at 6 p.m.
