Box Score

HAMMOND, La. ââ'¬" Louisiana Tech's early season struggles continued Tuesday as the Lady Techsters fell 7-1 to Southeastern Louisiana at North Oak Park in Hammond.

Southeastern second baseman Mahalia Gibson hit two home runs and drove in four to lead the Lions (3-0) to the start-to-finish victory, dropping the Lady Techsters to 1-5 on the year.

Gibson hit a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the first inning and added a three-run shot in the third inning, both coming off Tech starter Krystal De La Cruz (0-2).

Tech stranded nine base runners in the game, collecting only four hits ââ'¬" two by Taria Page and one each by Katie Smith and Karlee Jensen.

The Lady Techsters best chance came in the top of the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. Page doubled to right center field and Marilyn Rizzato and Kimmie Atienza followed with walks against Lions starter Rachel Hayes.

Lacey Hill then came on in relief to strike out Jensen Howell for the first out. Berkley Calapp followed with a sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored pinch runner Emily Daniels from third base. With runners on the corners and two outs, Hill got a swinging bunt out for the final out.

Howell came on in relief of De La Cruz in the third inning and looked strong until running into trouble with two outs in the fifth inning. Five straight batters reached against Jensen as three more runs scored to up the advantage to 7-1.

De La Cruz took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits with one strikeout. Howell tossed 2.2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk with one strikeout. Bailey Allen threw one inning, allowing one hit and one walk.

Freshman Kailey Anderson recorded an outfield assist throwing out a runner at home plate in the seventh inning.

Tech returns to action Wednesday when the Lady Techsters face No. 24 ranked McNeese State at 5 p.m. in Lake Charles.