GULF SHORES, Ala. – Louisiana Tech hit four home runs and reigning Conference USA Pitcher of the Year Preslee Gallaway picked up a win and a save in the circle as the Lady Techsters swept a pair of games in the first day of the Sand Dollar Classic.

LA Tech recorded a come-from-behind win over Tennessee State 5-4 in the first game of the day and then run-ruled Florida A&M 9-1 in the second contest.

"I didn't think we were sharp early in the first game, but I'm proud of the way we fought back to win," said Tech head coach Mark Montgomery. "We talk a lot about setting the tone if we want to be an NCAA Tournament at-large caliber team. I'm not sure we win that game last year, but we fought and overcame some adversity and found a way.

"We were dominate in the second game. Preslee was on top of her game and really shut them down. And we did a good job of putting runs on the board in consecutive innings and really taking control early. We know we have to come out and play better tomorrow, but we are 2-0 and got a lot of contributions from a number of players."

Tech will return to action Saturday when the Lady Techsters face South Alabama at 2 p.m. and Auburn at 5 p.m.      

Game 1: LA Tech 5, Tennessee State 4

Zoe Hicks pitched three scoreless innings in relief and Preslee Gallaway struck out the side in the seventh while Mary Terral's two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the difference in Louisiana Tech's 5-4 win over Tennessee State.

Tech trailed 4-2 after three innings as Tennessee State plated four runs – only two earned – on four hits in 3.0 innings against freshman Hannah Koenig in her first collegiate start.

However, Hicks and Gallaway combined to allow just three base runners (2 hits, 1 walk) over the final 4.0 innings giving the Louisiana Tech offense an opportunity to respond.

Senior Morgan Turkoly came through with a two-out, RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring Bayli Simon who led off the frame with a double down the left field line. Tech trailed 4-3.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tech took the lead. Marilyn Rizzato reached on a one-out single and then Terral, a transfer from Ole Miss, drove a ball deep over the left centerfield wall for a 5-4 Tech lead.

Hicks then retired three straight in the sixth inning, two via strikeout, and Gallaway mowed down all three Tennessee State batters in the seventh with strikeouts.

Tennessee State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Sarah Snell led the game off with a solo home run against Koenig. However, the Brentwood, Tennessee, native worked around a 1-out double to get out of the inning without any more damage.

Tech tied the game in the bottom of the first as the first three batters reached on a walk and back-to-back hit by pitches to load the bases. Kimmie Atienza scored on Hicks sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1.

Atienza gave Tech its first lead in the bottom of the second inning, hitting a solo home run to centerfield as the Lady Techsters led 2-1.

Tennessee State answered in the top of the third inning, capitalizing on an error, as it scored three runs on two hits in the frame.

Tech outhit TSU 8-6, including seven hits over its final three at bats as seven different players recorded at least one base hit for the Lady Techsters. Simon (2-3, run), Atienza (1-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR), Turkoly (1-3, RBI, 2 SB), Crowder (1-3, SB), Hicks (1-3, RBI), Rizzato (1-2, run), Terral (1-3, HR, run, 2 RBI) led the way offensively.
 
Game 2:  LA Tech 9, Florida A&M 1 (5 innings)

Morgan Turkoly and Mary Terral each homered and Preslee Gallaway was dominate in the circle as the Lady Techsters recorded a 9-1 run-rule victory over Florida A&M in the second game of the day.

Tech scored one in the first inning, three in the second and then added five in the third to blow the game open against the Rattlers, a team picked to win the MEAC this year.

Kimmie Atienza gave Tech an early 1-0 lead after reaching on an error, moving to third on a ground out by Turkoly and scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Jazlyn Crowder.

Bayli Simon walked to open the bottom of the second inning and moved to third on Sloane Stewartson's single. After pinch runner Meghan Robicheaux stole second base, Simon scored on a wild pitch. Kailey Anderson then drove home Robicheaux with a bunt single to shortstop. Turkoly drove home the third run of the inning with a single as Tech led 4-0.

Any chance of a Rattler comeback was doused in the bottom of the third inning. Terral homered for the second time of the day, this one clearing the left field wall, to push the lead to 5-0. Simon doubled to left center and with two outs scored on Atienza's single to left field.

Turkoly followed with an opposite field three-run home run as Tech increased its lead to 9-0.

Gallaway (1-0) held FAMU off the scoreboard until the fifth inning when the Rattlers scratched for a run. Gallaway worked 5.0 innings allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts.

Tech recorded 10 hits in only four innings. Turkoly (2-3, run, HR, 4 RBI), Atienza (2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Terral (2-3, run, HR, RBI), Zoe Hicks (1-2), Simon (1-1, 2 runs), Stewartson (1-2), Robicheaux (2 runs) and Kailey Anderson (1-2, run, RBI) led the Lady Techsters.