RUSTON, La. – The Louisiana Tech Softball team resumes its non-conference slate by traveling to Northwestern State for an in-state showdown on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
 
SERIES INFORMATION
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 28 | 6 p.m.
Location: Lady Demon Diamond (Natchitoches, LA.)
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Stats: Live Stats
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (19-12)
Louisiana Tech is 19-12 on the season and coming off a 4-1 series finale win over Middle Tennessee on Sunday.  A two-out two-RBI single by Kylie Neel gave Tech a 2-1 lead that would not be relinquished. The LA Tech pitching staff was impressive as usual in the contest. Lauren Menzina got the ball for Tech and pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out one. Mary Martinez got the win in relief by striking out three batters and surrendering just one hit in her 2.2 innings pitched. Allie Floyd was unstoppable on her way to her third save of the season, retiring all six batters faced.
 
Sierra Sacco is on a 12-game hitting streak and leads Tech at the plate with 33 hits, 25 runs scored, 23 walks and a .355 batting average. Sacco has 22 stolen bases this season which leads Conference USA. The Sophomore is the all-time program leader in career batting average with a mark of .413.
 
KB Briley has sprung onto the scene since being inserted into the lineup at designated player two weeks ago. Briley is batting .375 with 10 RBI, two home runs and four runs scored in 24 at bats this season. The Sterlington, La., product is on a five-game hitting streak.
 
The Lady Techsters have been dominant in the circle with a team ERA of 1.74 in 209.2 innings pitched. Mary Martinez leads the Techsters in the circle with a 7-2 record and 1.38 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched. Martinez picked up her seventh win of the season in the 4-1 series finale win over Middle Tennessee. Brook Melnychuk leads Tech with a 1.24 ERA in 39.2 innings pitched.
 
Tech is among the nation's leaders in double plays turned, averaging 0.57 a contest.
 
Emma Hutchinson has been impressive against left-handed hitters this season, as opposing lefties are batting just .138 against her. Opponents are batting just .163 against her with runners on base. The Lady Techster staff has been phenomenal at escaping jams this season as opposing hitters are 2-21 against them with the bases loaded.
 
Right fielder Kylie Neel leads LA Tech with 29 RBI and 41 total bases while posting a .330 batting average.
 
Scoring first has proved to pay off for the Lady Techsters as they are 17-2 when doing so.
 
LA Tech is led by head coach Josh Taylor who is 54-28 in his second season at Tech and 178-141 in his career, with prior stops at Nevada (2017-2021) and Feather River College (2009-2012).  
 
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN STATE (16-13)
The Lady Demons are 16-13 this season and coming off a 2-1 series win over Nicholls State
 
Makenzie Chaffin leads Northwestern State with a .376 batting average and two home runs. The Bossier City product played at Airline High School alongside current Lady Techsters, Caroline Easom, Paris Endris and Jina Baffuto.
 
Laney Roos leads the Lady Demons with 18 RBI and 43 total bases.
 
In the circle, they are led by Maggie Darr, who is 7-4 with a 3.37 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 62.1 innings pitched.
 
Donald Pickett is in his 14th season leading Northwestern State with a record of 377-353-1.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State have met 111 times, with the Lady Techsters leading the all-time series, 60-51. 
 
Tech won the first meeting between the teams this year, 5-0 on March 14 at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. Amanda Gonzalez recorded two hits in the contest and Mary Martinez, Brook Melnychuk and Alyssa Martin combined for the shutout in the circle.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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