BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – I love you.

Those are the three words said in unison when members of the Louisiana Tech softball team break the huddle after practices and after games.

While most athletic teams use more of a motivational phrase or chant, the Lady Techsters simply – and quietly – say how they really feel about each other.

That's all the motivation they need.

Playing with that type of care and compassion for one another – and more recently with a renewed sense of purpose for their community and school – the Lady Techsters completed a memorable 16-day stretch with a 3-1 win over Marshall in the 2019 Conference USA championship game at Mary Bowers Field Saturday morning.

As the last out was recorded when sophomore shortstop Bayli Simon caught a pop up in shallow left field, the celebration that ensued for a group of 18 college student athletes was pure joy.

And love.

The win was the 44^th of the year for Tech (44-14), but the most important one to date as it clinched the automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Tech will find out its fate Sunday night at 8 p.m. when the NCAA Selection Show is aired.

Tech, which capture a share of its first regular season conference title last weekend in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, played almost a flawless seven innings – actually three games – in Birmingham over a three-day span. The Lady Techsters committed just one error in three games.

A team that has historically had more of a calm, confidence during games, played the last 16 days like every game was its last.
 
Since the EF3 tornado ravaged Ruston in the early morning hours of April 25, destroying homes, businesses and a number of LA Tech athletic facilities including the Lady Techster Softball Complex, the University's softball team has played at another level.

That didn't change this week in Birmingham.

"I'm proud," said Tech head coach Mark Montgomery, who has seen his team go 8-1 since the tornado. "Our players stayed focused and calm. We made plays throughout the game, some tough difficult plays. Our pitchers landed pitches. It was a great all around team effort.
 
"I think the tornado solidified that there is no pressure. That it's just a game. That we represent and we play for so much more. They saw it was just a matter of going out and playing the game the right way, and whatever happened, happened. I think it allowed them to be calmer and to just focus on playing the game the right way. When you have a special group, and they get refocused, it makes it really nice.

After defeating Marshall 5-4 on Friday morning to earn a spot in Saturday's title game, Louisiana Tech was able to sit back and wait for its opponent. Marshall fought its way out of the elimination side of the bracket, defeating North Texas 1-0 Friday afternoon and setting up the rematch with the Lady Techsters.

Tech utilized the one-two punch of Krystal De La Cruz and Preslee Gallaway in the circle – while specialty reliever Jenny Chapman came in to record a big out against Marshall slugger Ally Harrell in the sixth – as the Lady Techster pitchers held the dangerous Thundering Herd offense to only three hits in the game.

Krystal De La Cruz (18-3) was solid in the circle for Tech, striking out a pair of batters in the opening inning to grab the early momentum. Tech had an opportunity in the bottom of the first when Morgan Turkoly doubled and Jazlyn Crowder singled to put runners on the corners with one out. But a line out and ground out ended the threat.

After neither team scored in the second inning and after Marshall went down quietly in the top of the third inning, Tech finally grabbed the lead. Kimmie Atienza singled up the middle with one out and then scored on Turkoly's triple to right field, giving the Lady Techsters a 1-0 lead.

"I think they are both special in their own way," said Turkoly, referring to this year's title and the 2017 title won in Hattiesburg. "I've never been closer to a group of girls. This whole season we have been playing for the person next to us. I'm just so proud that we could bring this home for Ruston and for this group of seniors."

Jazlyn Crowder, named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player just days after being named the Conference USA Player of the Year, laid down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt, scoring Turkoly and upping the advantage to 2-0.

Marshall (39-20) responded in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman Mya Stevenson drove the first pitch she saw from De La Cruz just over the fence in left centerfield, giving the Herd its first and only run of the game. It was Stevenson's conference leading 18^th home run of the year.

Tech answered in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bayli Simon led off with a single, advanced to second on a ground out and then stole third base. With two outs, Simon scored on a wild pitch, giving Tech the 3-1 lead.

The top of the fifth inning proved monumental for Tech. Marshall catcher Hayden Ellis doubled to left center against De La Cruz, chasing the senior from the game. Gallaway entered in relief.

On the first pitch from Gallaway, Herd pinch hitter Brianna Diass drove the ball to deep centerfield where Crowder made a leaping catch, crashing into the wall, but holding onto the ball for the first out. The catch saved a run and put a death grip on the momentum for the Lady Techsters as Gallaway got the next two batters out to preserve the 3-1 lead.

Marshall led off the top of the sixth with Harrell, Stevenson and Rachel Rousseau – the heart of the Herd offense. Montgomery brought Chapman in to pitch to Harrell, but was forced to make an unconventional move sending Gallaway to play first base for the one batter (in order to not burn Gallaway from the game).

And for the second day in a row, Chapman came through, getting Harrell to pop out to shortstop in a four pitch at bat. Chapman's day was done as Gallaway re-entered in the circle and Berkley Calapp re-entered at first base … just in time.

On the first pitch from Gallaway, Stevenson lined a missile ground ball down the first base line that Calapp snared, stepping on the bag for the second out. Gallaway then induced a fly ball to centerfield from Rousseau ending the frame.

Tech went down quietly and quickly in the bottom of the sixth. Marshall had one last chance to rally, something the Thundering Herd had done against Tech weeks ago in Huntington.

But Gallaway was solid. Blakely Burch led off with a line out to Tech rightfielder Mary Terral and then Herd shortstop Sierra Huerta grounded out to Simon for the second out. With two away, Gallaway induced a pop up to shallow left field that was caught by Simon for the final out of the game.

"This is the best feeling ever," said Simon. "Knowing that we did this for not only ourselves but for our community and our school. Ruston has been through so much and everyone has come together and that's made a really big impact on this team."

In addition to Crowder being named the C-USA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, she was joined on the all-conference tournament team by Turkoly, Atienza, De La Cruz, Marilyn Rizzato, Lindsay Edwards, and Sloane Stewartson.

Tech fans are invited to attend the Selection Show Party Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. on the Club Level of the Davison Athletics Complex.