RUSTON, La. – Lindsay Edwards had a phenomenal freshman season in 2019 earning C-USA Rookie of the Year honors while helping Louisiana Tech to a league title and NCAA Regional appearance.

On Friday night with a number of her former teammates off that 2019 team in attendance, Edwards showed she still has it.

On Alumni Weekend with more than 50 former Tech softball players back in town for the series, Edwards came through in the clutch.

In a scoreless game in the bottom of the sixth inning, Edwards drove a 1-0 pitch deep over the left field fence for a grand slam leading the Lady Techsters to a 4-3 win over UTSA in the first game of a three-game series at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

"I just tried to stay calm and loose at the plate," Edwards said. "(Before the at bat), Coach (Taylor) told me to have fun."

Edwards' fifth home run of the season was just that for Tech fans. Fun.

"I told her that these are the moments that are supposed to be fun," said Taylor. "These are the moments you play this game for. Just have fun in the moment."

Tech needed all of the four runs that scored on the blast.

Trailing 4-0 and down to their final out, UTSA rallied in the top of the seventh. Audrey Pickett held UTSA to only one hit through six innings, but the Roadrunners bats came to life late.

UTSA scored three runs on four hits and had the game-tying runner on third and the go-ahead runner on first when Pickett induced a ground ball to second baseman Caroline Easom to end the game.

"I'm proud of them," said Taylor. "This was a hard game. It was a grind. But they did enough to win. Now we have to show we can do it again tomorrow."

Pickett (14-4) and UTSA's Jamie Gilbert (3-4) were masterful through five innings, each allowing only one base hit. After Pickett got out of a bases loaded, two out jam in the top of the sixth, Tech loaded the bases with a walk, bunt single by Madie Green and a walk, setting the stage for Edwards heroics.

Sierra Sacco led Tech with two hits while Green and Edwards recorded the other two.

The two teams will play game two at 2 p.m. Saturday.