BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana Tech completed an impressive weekend as the Lady Techsters defeated Troy 7-6 in the first game of the final day of the LSU Crossover Tournament at Tiger Park.
               
The win was the second over the Trojans (13-5) in less than 24 hours as Tech finished the week 6-2 overall with losses to Top 25 foes UL-Lafayette and LSU. Tech lost 8-0 to the Tigers in the final game of the day.
               
"I am so proud of this team," said Tech head coach Josh Taylor. "I can't tell you how proud I am. This is as tough a stretch of games (over the last few weeks) as I've ever experienced. We have played a lot of games (13 games in 10 days), and I have seen a lot of growth from this group. We had a terrific weekend."
               
In Sunday's first game against the Trojans – team that has wins over Top 25 foes Ohio State, LSU and Ole Miss – Tech jumped out to an early 3-0 in the top of the third inning. However, the Lady Techsters saw Troy score four in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead.
               
Tech responded.
               
Caroline Easom's RBI single in the top of the fifth scored Sierra Sacco and tied the game at 4-4. Sacco then gave Tech the 5-4 lead with an RBI single in the top of the sixth.
               
The Lady Techsters got two huge insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning with a two-run RBI single to centerfield by Bailey Wright, upping the lead to 7-4. The runs would prove huge.
               
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, a controversial fair-foul call gave the Trojans a two-run HR, cutting the Tech lead to 7-6. However, shortstop Amanda Gonzalez then recorded the final out with a tough back-hand play in the 5-6 hole throwing the runner out to end the game.
               
Emma Hutchinson (4-3) picked up the win in relief, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks in 3.2 innings of work.
               
In the second game of the day, Tech showed a good eye at the plate, drawing seven walks against LSU starter Shelby Wickersham. However, the Lady Techsters were only able to manage three hits and stranded eight runners in the game in the loss.
               
Easom, Aleya Hill and Gentry Spinks each recorded hits. Spinks, making her first collegiate start, doubled and drew a walk in the game.
               
The Lady Techsters will host ULM Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.