Box Score March 18, 2018 Box Score
RUSTON, La. ââ'¬" After playing almost flawlessly in a doubleheader sweep over FIU on Saturday, Louisiana Tech didn't look like the same team on Sunday as the Lady Techsters committed four errors in route to a 9-1 six inning loss to the Golden Panthers in the series finale.
Despite the loss, Tech (16-15, 4-2 C-USA) won its 12th C-USA series in the last 15 dating back to 2016, including its second straight this year.
The Lady Techsters used four pitchers in Sunday's finale. After Krystal De La Cruz and Preslee Gallaway combined to allow only one run and six hits in 14 innings of work yesterday, the duo weren't as successful on Sunday … although the Lady Techster defense didn't help them.
De La Cruz tossed the first three innings of work, allowing one unearned run on one hit and a pair of walks. FIU plated the first run of the game in the first after a single and two-base error allowed the leadoff batter to reach and eventually score on a ground out.
Tech tied the game in the bottom of the third inning. Ali Galaz doubled and with two outs, Morgan Turkoly lined a single to left field to score Galaz with the lone run of the game for the Lady Techsters.
Gallaway came on in relief in the fourth inning and FIU shortstop Jessica Rivera welcomed her with a solo home run to centerfield, giving the Golden Panthers a 2-1 lead. FIU added three more runs against Gallaway ââ'¬" one more in the fourth and two in the fifth ââ'¬" to take a 5-1 advantage.
Jenny Chapman relieved Gallaway with one out in the fifth and runners on second and third. Chapman surrendered a two-run single to Rivera before getting a double play ground ball to end the frame.
Jensen Howell came on in the sixth inning and loaded the bases with a single, hit batter and walk. However, a fielding error by the Tech infield allowed a run to score and opened the gates for a four-run sixth.
Only three of FIU's nine runs were earned in the game.
Turkoly recorded a pair of hits and an RBI in the game while Katie Smith, Sloane Stewartson, Marilyn Rizzato and Galaz all registered one hit.
