DENTON, Texas – With the tying run on second and the winning run on first, Louisiana Tech sophomore Emma Hutchinson induced a fly ball out to seal the Lady Techsters series-clinching 6-5 win over North Texas Saturday afternoon at Lovelace Stadium.

Tech (29-16, 9-6 C-USA) handed North Texas (26-10, 13-5) its first conference series loss since the 2019 season and its first home conference series loss since 2018.

"This was a big series as coming into the weekend North Texas sat at the top of the C-USA standings," said head coach Josh Taylor. "They have been very tough at home for a while now, and it was fantastic how our girls competed.

"Our offense was able to string together quality at bats and score runs early in our wins. This allowed our pitchers to settle into their outings and throw quality pitches. I am proud of this team's passion. I am proud of this team's heart and proud of this teams fight."
           
Saturday's win didn't come without some stressful pitches.
           
After building a 6-0 lead through three innings, Tech withstood a five-run sixth inning by the Mean Green as Hutchinson came on in relief for Audrey Pickett and closed the door for the second straight day.
           
"I was pumped to have the opportunity to slam the door and just went out with a mentality that I wasn't going to lose this game," said Hutchinson. "I wasn't going to let them take this series from us. I wasn't trying to do too much; just doing what I do and pounding the zone, getting fly balls and pop ups to letting my defense work behind me."
           
Tech, which lost the opener 8-2 on Thursday night before bouncing back to win 9-3 on Friday, won for the eighth time in the last nine games and did it in impressive fashion.
           
Sophomore Katelin Cooper gave the Lady Techsters the early lead, driving an outside pitch over the left field wall for her first home run of the season – a two-run shot – against North Texas starter Skyler Savage.
           
After starter Audrey Pickett set NT down in order in the bottom of the frame, Tech mounted a four-run top of the third inning.
           
Sierra Sacco, the nation's leader in hits, reached on a bunt single and then Amanda Gonzalez singled into the hole at shortstop. After Caroline Easom advanced the runners with a ground out to second base, Brooke Diaz followed with an RBI single to centerfield, upping the advantage to 3-0.

"This weekend really showed how we can all come together and play as a team," said Diaz. "We have continued to have each other's back and build off of each other's success. Being able to win this series has allowed us to not only show ourselves but the rest of the conference of what we are capable of."

Olivia Ellingson came on to pinch run for Diaz and swiped second base as North Texas catcher Aslyn Walker threw the ball away, allowing Gonzalez to score from third. After Madie Green walked, Lindsay Edwards lined a double into right center, plating both Ellingson and Green and giving Tech a 6-0 advantage.

"Winning the series felt amazing," said Edwards. "We had some tough losses against them the last few years, and it felt good to finally show how good we have become. These were some of the most fun games this year."

Pickett cruised through the first five innings, not allowing a run while surrendering just four hits. However, in the bottom of the sixth inning, North Texas found some life. A two-run home run followed by a walk, two singles and a two-run double cut the deficit to 6-4.

Hutchinson entered the game and allowed an RBI single before getting the next two outs.

In the bottom of the seventh, Hutchinson got the first two batters to foul out to Edwards at third base before back-to-back walks on full-count pitches put the winning runs on base. However, Hutchinson got Molly Rainey to fly out to Green in right field for the final out.

"The pitching staff did a great job this weekend locating and finding a way to get outs," said Taylor. "They were able to keep them off balance with a nice blend of pitches. Audrey and Lauren gave us quality starts, and Emma was able to effectively get in on their hands."

Tech will travel to Oxford Tuesday to face Ole Miss.