RUSTON, La. – The Louisiana Tech Softball team travels to Miami, Fla., for their first road conference series of the season when they visit FIU this weekend.
SERIES INFORMATION
Date/Time: Friday, March 17 (6 p.m. ET), Saturday, March 18 (1 p.m. ET), Sunday, March 19 (1 p.m. ET)
Location: Felsberg Field (Miami, Fla.)
TV/Stream: CUSA.tv
Stats: https://fiusports.com/coverage
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (16-8)
Louisiana Tech is 16-8 on the season and coming off a dominant 5-0 win over Northwestern State on March 14.
Mary Martinez (3 inn.),
Brook Melnychuk (3 inn.), and
Alyssa Martin (1 inn.) combined for a three-hit shutout. While
Amanda Gonzalez recorded her 30th career multi-hit game with two hits in the ballgame.
First baseman
Jordyn Manning and centerfielder
Sierra Sacco are on five-game hitting streaks.
Manning's five-game hitting streak is a career high. The West Monroe native is also tied for the team lead in home runs with Katelin Cooper at three apiece.
Tech has caused havoc on the base paths swiping 39 bases in 42 attempts. Sacco has stolen 18 bases this season, leading Tech to rank third in Conference USA. She has posted an impressive .526 on-base percentage (OBP) when leading off the inning this season, while the Lady Techsters have a team OBP of .413 when leading off.
Pitching has played a vital role this season for the Lady Techsters, as they hold a team ERA of 1.72.
Mary Martinez leads the Techsters in the circle with a 5-1 record and 1.15 ERA in 30.1 innings pitched.
Allie Floyd leads Tech in innings thrown with 52.2 while owning a 1.73 ERA and a team-best .93 WHIP (walk hits per inning).
Emma Hutchinson has been dominant against left-handed hitters this season, as opposing lefties are batting just .140 against her. The Lady Techster staff has been phenomenal at escaping jams this season. Opposing hitters are 0-14 against them with the bases loaded and batting .199 with runners in scoring position.
Right fielder
Kylie Neel leads LA Tech with a .357 batting average, including 25 hits, while recording five doubles, 23 RBI, 17 runs scored, and 10 walks. Her 23 RBI rank fourth among all Conference USA players.
Scoring first has been a recipe that leads to success for LA Tech this season, as the Lady Techsters are 15-1 when striking first.
LA Tech is led by head coach
Josh Taylor who is 55-28 in his second season at Tech and 178-137 in his career, with prior stops at Nevada (2017-2021) and Feather River College (2009-2012).
The Lady Techsters are on a 10-game homestand, their longest since 2012.
ABOUT FIU (14-13)
The Panthers are 14-13 this season and coming off a 1-2 weekend in their opening series of conference play at Charlotte.
Isabella Perez leads FIU at the plate with a .344 batting average and 16 RBI. Ashton Landsell leads the Panthers in home runs and total bases with five and 45, respectively.
In the circle, they are led by Megan Kruger, who is 5-2 with a 1.70 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 37 innings pitched.
Mike Larabee is 33-44 in his second season leading FIU. Larabee holds a career record of 436-440 in his 17 seasons as a head coach, with prior stops at Central Washington (2016-19), Arkansas (2010-2015) and Wright State (2005-09).
LA Tech assistant coaches
Chelsea Cohen (2010-13) and
Shelby Hiers (2014-16) played for FIU Head Coach Mike Larabee while he was at Arkansas. Cohen pitched for the Razorbacks while Hiers played outfield and catcher.
SERIES HISTORY
Louisiana Tech and FIU have met 16 times, with the Panthers leading the all-time series, 16-10.
Tech swept FIU last year in Ruston by the scores of 3-2, 4-2 and 2-0.
Amanda Gonzalez recorded seven hits and hit two home runs in the series.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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