RUSTON, La. – There is no such thing as an ugly win to any head coach.

Louisiana Tech challenged that philosophy with head coach Josh Taylor Friday night as the Lady Techsters overcame five errors and some offensive shortcomings in a 3-2 extra inning win over FIU at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

Caroline Easom's opposite field double off the base of the right field wall with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning scored Sierra Sacco from second base and completed the come-from-behind victory.

Tech (16-12, 1-3 C-USA) committed two errors in the second inning and three errors in the third inning, but found itself trailing only 2-0 thanks to a workhorse like effort from Audrey Pickett in the circle.

"I honestly was at a loss of what to say to them (after those two innings)," said Taylor. "This may be the ugliest win in my career, and I don't think any win is ugly. But this one sure pushes the envelope.But I am proud of them. They showed resilience. But we have to play better. We are better."

FIU (15-13, 1-3) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning without a hit or a walk as a pair of infield errors allowed the unearned run to cross the plate.

The Golden Panthers upped the advantage to 2-0 in the top of the third inning. A single followed by back-to-back infield fielding errors loaded the bases with no outs. After a strikeout looking for the first out, a throwing error on a pickoff play allowed the run to score.

Pickett induced a line out and ground out to prevent any further damage.

"Audrey kept us in this game," said Taylor. "We could have been down 4 or 5 or 6 runs after those two innings, but she kept her poise and made some big pitches."

Tech was hitless through the first four innings against FIU's Kendahl Dunford. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Madie Green walked and then one out later, Amanda Gonzalez lined a triple off the base of the right field wall to plate Green. Gonzalez then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2.

Pickett and Dunford continued to control the game. FIU recorded a two-out double in the top of the seventh inning, but Pickett recorded her fifth strikeout to end the threat.  
In the eighth, FIU recorded a one out single, but Pickett induced a ground ball that Easom turned into the second double play of the night for the Lady Techsters.

Sacco led off the eighth reaching on an error – the only one of the night by FIU – advanced to second on a bunt single by Katelin Cooper. Easom then lined a 3-1 pitch deep to right field that plated the winning run.

Pickett (10-4) picked up the win, allowing two runs – none earned – on just five hits and no walks while striking out five in 8.0 innings of action.

Tech and FIU play the second game of the series Saturday at 2 p.m.