Box Score

MIAMI - Louisiana Tech saw its best season in years end late Thursday night as the Lady Techsters lost 4-1 to UTSA in the quarterfinal round of the Conference USA Tournament at FIU Softball Field.

The Lady Techsters end the season 31-19, a 12-win improvement from 2014. It marked the first time a LA Tech team finished at least 12 games above .500 since the 1999 team posted a 34-18 record under Hall of Fame coach Bill Galloway.

Thursday night's fourth and final quarterfinal game started almost three hours late due to a pair of rain delays during the previous contest between Florida Atlantic and North Texas.

UTSA jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, scoring an unearned run. Vivian Tijernia opened the frame with a double to left field and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Tess Soefje hit a pop up to shallow right field that Tech second baseman Karlee Jensen mishandled, allowing the run to score.

Tech answered in the top of the third inning. Katie Smith singled to right field and stole second base. With two outs, Tori Charters singled up the middle, plating Smith and tying the game at 1-1.

UTSA wasted little time in responding. With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Megan Low reached second base on a throwing error by Smith and then scored on back-to-back infield singles as UTSA led 2-1.

The Roadrunners upped the advantage in the fourth. After Tech retired the first two batters, Jade Smith reached on a bad-hop single and then scored on a two-run home run by UTSA centerfielder Kendall Burton to straight away centerfield.

Tech had opportunities to respond. In the top of the fifth inning, Kristen Miles reached on an error and Charters walked. With two outs, Anna Cross hit a soft liner that was headed for right centerfield before UTSA second baseman Erica Sanchez jumped high into the air and grabbed, taking a hit and a run away from the Lady Techsters.

In the top of the seventh, Tech had one final opportunity. Smith led off with a single and with two outs Charters reached on her second hit of the day. However, UTSA pitcher Kacy Freeze recorded her ninth strikeout of the game to seal the win.

Bianca Duran (14-13) took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs - only two earned - on six hits and two walks in 5.1 innings of work. Freeze (11-4) picked up the win, allowing only one run on five hits and two walks.

Charters and Smith led Tech offensively with 2 hits each while Tufi add one hit.