Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. ââ'¬" Bayli Simon and Ali Galaz hit home runs and Louisiana Tech rallied for two runs in the seventh inning to defeat 24th ranked McNeese State 8-7 Thursday night at Cowgirls Diamond.

The win was Tech's second against a Top 25 team this season as the Lady Techsters downed 21st ranked James Madison in Mexico last weekend.

Head coach Mark Montgomery's team entered the game struggling offensively, having scored just nine runs in its first six contests of the season. However, the Lady Techsters struck for a season-high eight runs on a season-high 10 hits in the win.

"It was certainly a challenging game and had challenging moments," said Montgomery. "I am proud of the perseverance that this team showed. We could have easily lost this game. Despite some great plays by McNeese State, we still found a way to win even without great individual performances from everyone. We made key plays offensively and defensively in key moments. We didn't fold when they took the lead late. We know this team is talented and it's just a matter before we start clicking in all phases. This could be a huge step in that direction."

Tech (2-5) jumped out to a 4-0 lead by striking four three runs in the second and one more in the third.

Galaz led the second inning off with a solo home run over the left field fence against McNeese State starter Amber Coons. One out later, Simon hit a laser down the left field line that cleared for her first collegiate home run of her career.

Karlee Jensen then reached on an error and scored on an RBI double by Morgan Turkoly to the left centerfield gap. Tech led 3-0.

Marilyn Rizzato led the third inning off with a single and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches. After a walk to Sydney Casteel to put runners on the corners, Tech pulled a double steal as Rizzato scored from third with the fourth run.

McNeese State scored a run on a solo home run in the third inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Tech starter Preslee Gallaway retired the first two batters before walking the eight and nine hole hitters. Bailey Allen came on in relief but walked back-to-back batters to force home a run. Morgan Catron followed with a two-run single to tie the game at 4-4.

Tech responded in the top of the fifth inning, plating two runs. Taria Page, Galaz and Casteel walked to load the bases with two outs and then pinch hitter Kassie Harris drove home two runs with a single to left field. Tech led 6-4.

Jensen Howell came on in relief of Kyrstal De La Cruz in the bottom of the fifth and allowed an unearned run as McNeese State cut the Tech lead to 6-5. McNeese State finally took its first lead of the game with a two-run home run by Catron in the bottom of the sixth.

Down to its final three outs, Galaz singled through the left side and moved to second on a walk by Kimmie Atienza. Simon then followed with a single to right field to load the bases. Jensen then followed with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Galaz from third to tie the game at 7-7. Berkley Calapp then followed with a pinch hit sacrifice fly to shallow left field, scoring Atienza with the go-ahead run.

Howell worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh inning to pick up her first collegiate win.

Turkoly (2 hits, 1 RBI), Galaz (2 hits, 3 runs, 1 RBI), Simon (2 hits, 1 run, 1 RBI), Katie Smith (1 hit), Page (1 hit), Rizzato (1 hit, 2 runs), Atienza (run), Jensen (1 run, 1 RBI), Harris (1 hit, 2 RBI) and Calapp (RBI) led Tech offensively.

The Lady Techsters will return to action Friday in Baton Rouge in the Purple and Gold Challenge, playing five games in three days.