RUSTON – Runners left on base was the theme of the night for Louisiana Tech, as the Bulldogs left 10 stranded in a 5-0 loss to New Mexico State to open Conference USA play at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field on Friday night.
The loss moves LA Tech to 11-10 (0-1 CUSA), while NMSU moves to 13-10 (1-0 CUSA).
Allie Floyd made her 11
th start of the season in the circle and moved to 7-5 after taking the loss. Floyd recorded eight strikeouts, giving her eight consecutive games with five or more punch outs.
The right handed pitcher tossed 5.0 innings and gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits, while not allowing a walk and fanning eight.
Mattison Buster pitched the final two frames and held the Aggies scoreless while allowing one hit and striking out one.
Reagan Marchant,
Nicole Hammoude, and
Allie Furr all recorded a single, while
Jina Baffuto notched a double.
Elena Heng and
Alannah Rogers drew two walks apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After recording two swinging strikeouts in the top of the first via Floyd, the Bulldogs threatened in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with three walks. A strikeout and fly out would halt the threat allowing NMSU to get out of a first inning jam.
The Aggies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning and would go on to score one run in the third, fourth and fifth innings. With two outs and two aboard in the second, NMSU was able to score two runs on a throwing error to take an early lead.
The Bulldogs left two runners stranded in scoring position in the bottom of the frame after Furr reached base on an infield single, while
Alexis Gilio would reach base on a walk. A strikeout would end LA Tech's scoring threat.
NMSU used a solo home run in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead, while a single plated a fourth run in the fourth inning. The Aggies led off the fifth inning with a double from Faith Aragon and would get another aboard on a Desirae Spearman single. A single to left would score Aragon.
POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs fall to 15-20 against NMSU all-time.
Allie Floyd made her 11
th start of the season in the circle.
Allie Floyd recorded at least five strikeouts for the eighth consecutive game, finishing with eight punch outs.
Jina Baffuto recorded her first hit of the season on a pinch hit double, marking the first extra base hit of her career.
Nicole Hammoude extended her hit-streak to seven games.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs and Aggies will square off for game two of the three game CUSA series tomorrow, with first pitch from Dr. Billy Bundrick Field set for 11:00 a.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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