Box Score Feb. 24, 2017 Box Score
RUSTON ââ'¬" Sophomore Krystal De La Cruz tossed six strong innings and Jazlyn Crowder hit a two-run home run highlighting Louisiana Tech's 7-1 win over Sam Houston State Friday afternoon at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.
De La Cruz (3-0) allowed only one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two to pick up her third win of the season. Freshman Jenny Chapman pitched a perfect seventh inning in relief, striking out a pair as Tech shut down the Bearkats offense.
LA Tech (9-4) took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Taria Page led the frame off with a single before pinch runner Kimmie Atienza advanced to second on an illegal pitch. An Ali Galaz ground out advanced Atienza to third and then Marilyn Rizzato drove her home with a ground ball to second base. Atienza slid in under the throw home by the Bearkats shortstop for the first run of the game.
After Rizzato advanced to second on a wild pitch, Katie Smith singled to right center to score the second run. Smith eventually advanced to third and scored on a throwing error by Sam Houston State on a ground ball to shortstop by Karlee Jensen that should have been the final out.
Tech added two more runs in the third. Tori Charters and Pauline Tufi both walked to lead off the inning and with the bases loaded and two outs, Smith once again came through with a bloop single to left center that scored two more runs. Tech led 5-0.
De La Cruz was in control the entire game. Sam Houston State recorded only two singles until the top of the sixth inning when leadoff batter Megan Crosby hit her second home run of the year over the left field wall, getting the Bearkats on the scoreboard.
Tech responded in the bottom half of the frame. Pinch hitter Addison Roark drew a one out walk and then Crowder followed with a two-run home run deep over the left field wall for the final two runs of the game.
Offensively, Tech was led by Smith (2-2, 1 run, 3 RBI), Crowder (1-4, run, 2 RBI), Tufi (1-3, 1 run, SB), Page (1-1), Jensen (1-2, 1 run), Charters (run, SB), Rizzato (run, RBI) and Atienza (run).
Tech will return to action Saturday when it hosts Northern Iowa at 3 p.m. and Grambling State at 5:30 p.m.
