Box Score April 21, 2016 Final Stats
RUSTON, La. - A four-run first inning would be all the offense the Lady Techsters needed as Louisiana Tech (24-16) took down in-state foe UL-Monroe (21-26) on Thursday night at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.
Bailey Allen (11-6) got the start in the circle and absolutely dominated the Warhawk lineup. The Pineville native tossed five frames allowing just two hits and an unearned run.
The first inning got off to a slow start as Kristen Miles, who reached on an infield single with one out, stood at first with two outs in the inning. That's when LA Tech broke out the big sticks.
After Miles stole second, Morgan Turkoly laced a single back up the middle to score the speedy left fielder and knot the game at 1-1.
On the following pitch, Taria Page deposited a no-doubter over the left field wall, extending the Lady Techsters lead to 3-1. The hits kept coming as Natalie Moran slapped a single to center field which brought the hottest bat in the Louisiana Tech line up to the plate.
Katie Smith did not disappoint. Smith smashed a double over the Warhawk left fielder, Sydney McKay, bringing Moran all the way around to score from first base. When the dust settled at the end of the first inning, LA Tech held a 4-1 lead.
A confident Allen trotted back out to the circle and retired 10 of the next 12 ULM batters she faced.
Preslee Gallaway replaced Allen looking for her league-leading fifth save of the season. Gallaway tossed two innings, giving up a solo home run, but locking down the Lady Techsters victory.
ULM had no answer for the seven, eight and nine spots in the LA Tech order as Smith, Karlee Jensen and Tori Charters combined to go 5-for-8 in the contest with a walk.
Miles recorded her first three-hit game of the season, while also swiping two bases, which is also a season high for the senior.
Melanie Coyne (15-17) picked up the loss, tossing all six innings for UL-Monroe. Coyne allowed 11 hits and four earned runs over that stretch.
LA Tech will travel to Denton, Texas tomorrow for a weekend series against North Texas, which kicks off with a double header on Saturday at 1 p.m.
