RUSTON, La. – The Louisiana Tech Softball team resumes its non-conference slate by traveling to Monroe for an in-state showdown with ULM on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 4 | 6 p.m.
Location: ULM Softball Complex (Monroe, La.)
Stats: Live Stats
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (21-15)
Louisiana Tech is 21-15 on the season and coming off a 1-3 weekend at the Purple and Gold Challenge hosted by LSU.
The Lady Techsters' 2-0 win over NC State was the first over a power five opponent since they defeated Penn State 6-0 on Feb. 24, 2019.
Freshman pitcher
Mary Martinez had a career day, throwing a complete-game shutout in the 2-0 win over NC State. She had a career-high six strikeouts while allowing just four hits on her way to the first seven-inning complete-game shutout by a LA Tech pitcher this season.
As a result of her efforts, Martinez was named the Conference USA Pitcher of the week.
Sierra Sacco leads Tech at the plate with 37 hits, 27 runs scored, 25 walks, and a .339 batting average. Sacco is the all-time program leader in career batting average with a mark of .404. The Sophomore has posted a .545 on-base percentage when leading off innings this season. Sacco has 24 stolen bases this season which leads Conference USA.
KB Briley has sprung onto the scene since being inserted into the lineup at designated player three weeks ago. Briley is batting .351 with 10 RBI, two home runs and five runs scored in 37 at bats this season.
The Lady Techsters have been dominant in the circle with a team ERA of 1.90 in 242.2 innings pitched. Martinez leads the Techsters in the circle with an 8-2 record and 1.41 ERA in 49.2 innings pitched.
Brook Melnychuk leads Tech with a 1.21 ERA in 40.1 innings of work.
Tech is among the nation's leaders in double plays turned, with 22 this season.
Emma Hutchinson has been impressive against left-handed hitters this season, as opposing lefties are batting just .161 against her. The Lady Techster staff has been phenomenal at escaping jams this season. Opposing hitters are 3-25 against them with the bases loaded.
Right fielder
Kylie Neel leads LA Tech with 30 RBI and 47 total bases while posting a .324 batting average. Neel was impressive in a 6-2 loss at No. 14 LSU. Neel hit a solo home run and had an RBI single in the game to account for all of the Lady Techsters' run production. Neel also turned a double play and recorded two outfield assists in a loss to North Carolina State. She now leads Tech with nine multi-hit games this season.
Scoring first has been a significant factor in the Techsters' success this year, as they have posted a 19-2 record when doing so.
LA Tech is led by head coach
Josh Taylor who is 60-35 in his second season at Tech and 180-144 in his career, with prior stops at Nevada (2017-2021) and Feather River College (2009-2012).
ABOUT ULM (16-13)
The Warhawks are 19-18 on the season and coming off a weekend at South Alabama, where they were swept, falling 6-0, 2-1 and 4-0.
Lourdes Bacon and Kennedy Johnson lead the ULM lineup with a batting average of .320. Bacon leads the team in hits, tallying 40 this season.
Ashlyn Ard is the Warhawks' slugger with a team-leading five home runs, 20 RBI and 48 total bases.
In the circle, they are led by Adrianna Chavarria, who is 5-2 with a 2.30 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched.
Molly Fichtner is in her fifth season leading the Warhawks with a record of 87-133.
SERIES HISTORY
Louisiana Tech and ULM have met 108 times with Tech leading the series 69-39. The Lady Techsters' 69 wins over the Warhawks are the most over a single opponent in program history.
ULM won the previous meeting between the teams, 3-1 in nine innings back on March 7 at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
Brooke Diaz homered for Tech's lone run of the game in the contest.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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