MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Amanda Gonzalez recorded four hits and Lauren Menzina tossed a complete game as Louisiana Tech defeated Middle Tennessee 6-2 Saturday at Blue Raider Softball Field.
               
With the victory, Tech (34-17, 14-6) clinched the series and moved to within one-half game of first place of North Texas (15-6).
               
The Lady Techsters won for the 14^th time in their last 17 Conference USA games. Since being swept by Florida Atlantic in the first C-USA series of the season, Tech has now won six straight series.
               
Tech took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning on an RBI by Kylie Neel, scoring Katelin Cooper who doubled. Neel then scored on an RBI single by Gonzalez to left center.
               
Middle Tennessee (19-30, 6-14) plated a single run in the bottom of the frame on a two-out single off Menzina. However, the sophomore pitcher would stay in complete control for the rest of the game.
               
Madie Green launched her ninth home run of the season over the right centerfield wall in the top of the third inning to push the lead back to 3-1. Gonzalez doubled off the top of the left field wall in the fourth and then scored on a two-out single to centerfield by Caroline Easom.
               
Tech added to its lead in the top of the sixth inning. Gonzalez doubled off the top of the centerfield wall and then scored on a throwing error on the play by MT centerfielder Kelci Hill. Lindsay Edwards plated a second run in the frame on a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring pinch runner Olivia Ellingson.
               
Menzina (6-6) picked up the win, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk in 7.0 innings of action. She worked a perfect 1-2-3 seventh inning, retiring Middle Tennessee on four pitches to end the game.
               
Gonzalez (4-5, 2 runs, RBI), Green (3-4, HR, run, RBI), Neel (2-3, run, RBI), Easom (2-4, RBI) and Cooper (2-4, run) all recorded multi-hit games as Tech totaled 14 hits in the victory.
               
The two teams are slated to play the third and final game of the series at 12 p.m. Sunday. A win by Tech would put the Lady Techsters in a two-way tie for first place with North Texas with the Lady Techsters owning the tiebreaker with one weekend remaining in the regular season.