Box Score

AUSTIN ââ'¬" Louisiana Tech walked off the Red & Charline McCombs Field late Saturday night following a heart-breaking and somewhat controversial loss to South Carolina, head coach Mark Montgomery and Co. did so knowing they would get a chance for redemption less than 24 hours later.

Tech (7-4) turned that opportunity into a little payback.

Behind a strong pitching performance from sophomore Preslee Gallaway and some timely hitting, the Lady Techsters handed previously-undefeated USC (8-1) its first loss of the season, winning Sunday's finale of the Texas Invitational by a score of 5-1.

Gallaway (4-2), who pitched a complete-game shutout over Indiana on Friday before being roughed up by Texas on Saturday, rebounded nicely, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out four. With the exception of a nerve-racking sixth inning that saw South Carolina load the bases with two outs to bring up the tying run, Gallaway was in complete control all afternoon.

"Preslee was in control throughout this game," said Montgomery. "Even in the sixth when they loaded the bases, I never felt threatened. They had a bloop single and then three seeing eye singles in that inning … they never really hit her hard all day.

"I think sometimes Preslee allows her youthfulness to still get to her. Sometimes she lets the moment be bigger than it needs to be. That's when she tries to do too much and like anyone, she isn't as good then. Today she stayed smooth and relaxed and calm. I think she is learning how to fight through some of those moments."

South Carolina senior Jessica Elliot got the start in the circle for the Gamecocks and was greeted rudely in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs and no runners on, senior Pauline Tufi launched a solo home run over the right centerfield fence to give LA Tech a 1-0 lead.

"She finally pulled the trigger today," said Montgomery, who saw his star first baseman strike out three times looking against USC Saturday night in only her second game back. "She was seeing it today and is starting to swing at it. It takes a while to get back in the groove. It was a right center bomb that she hit about 230. I think it was important. It allowed us play with a little less pressure."

With Gallaway in control in the circle, Tech held its 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fourth when the Lady Techsters added to their lead. Taria Page and Ali Galaz led the frame off with back-to-back walks and then pinch runner Kimmie Atienza and Galaz advanced to second and third on a throwing error by the USC catcher. After Atienza was called out at home on a ground ball back to the pitcher, Tech had runners on the corners with one out.

South Carolina then brought in their ace Nickie Blue for relief. Blue was immediately hit hard as Katie Smith singled through the left side of the infield to plate a run and then freshman Marilyn Rizzato drove two more runs home with a double to right centerfield. Tech led 4-0.

"We had seen her last night," said Montgomery. "She is a great pitcher, but we are a good hitting team. We were starting to get to her late last night. I think we just picked up where we left off. I give a lot of credit to our kids for having such a good approach at the plate against her."

Tech added an insurance run in the fifth inning. With two outs, Galaz tripled to left centerfield and after Jessica Ball walked, Galaz scored on a throwing error by the USC catcher on a Ball steal of second base.

South Carolina scored their lone run in the sixth, but then Gallaway got out of the jam and worked a rather easy seventh inning to seal the victory.

Tech posted a 2-3 record on the weekend with wins over South Carolina and Indiana and a pair of one-run losses to Texas and USC.

"We are right there," said Montgomery. "What we take away from this weekend is we are right there with those teams. We feel like we are really good. I think we learned some things this weekend that will help. We have a lot to work on and we can't be satisfied with where we are at."

Tech returns home to host Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday at 4 p.m. Tech will host the Louisiana Tech Classic this weekend starting Friday and running through Sunday.