RUSTON – Louisiana Tech softball moved to 0-2 in Conference USA action after falling 3-1 to New Mexico State on Saturday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The loss moves LA Tech to 11-11 on the season.
Like last night, the Bulldogs struggled to generate runs, leaving nine runners on base and bringing their total to 19 over the past two games.
Elena Heng led the Bulldogs with two hits, while
Claire Raley,
Alannah Rogers,
Allie Furr,
Nicole Hammoude, and
Alexis Gilio all logged one base knock apiece. Rogers recorded a triple while Hammoude registered a double.
Laney Johnson (1-1) started in the circle and had a quality outing despite taking the loss. The true freshman pitched 3.0 innings and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one.
Mattison Buster pitched 1.0 inning in relief and allowed one hit and no runs.
Alyssa Martin tossed the final 3.0 frames and struck out three while allowing one run on three hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Johnson started hot in the circle as she retired nine of the game's first 10 batters, only allowing a single in the second inning.
The Bulldogs struck first with two outs in the bottom of the third as Raley reached base on a bunt single. Rogers tripled to left to score Raley, giving LA Tech the early 1-0 advantage.
The Aggies plated two runs in the top of the fourth as Faith Aragon led off the frame with a double to left field. A walk placed a second runner aboard, followed by a single that scored Aragon. After a pitching change, Buster recorded an out and then allowed a double that scored Watson, who walked earlier in the inning.
After a scoreless fifth, NMSU started the sixth inning with a base runner as Kristiana Watson reached via a throwing error and advanced to second, followed by a wild pitch that allowed her to reach third base. After a second fielding error by the Bulldogs, NMSU singled to right field to score Watson from third to take the 3-1 lead.
The Bulldogs placed two runners aboard with one out in the bottom of the seventh as Heng reached on an infield single, followed by a Raley walk, but were unable to capitalize after two strikeouts to end the game.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs move to 15-21 against NMSU all-time.
Laney Johnson made her fifth start of the season in the circle.
Claire Raley stole her fifth base of the season.
Nicole Hammoude extended her hit steak to eight games after hitting her team leading sixth double of the season.
Alannah Rogers recorded her 20
th hit of the season.
Claire Raley scored her 20
th run of the season.
Elena Heng recorded her team leading ninth multi-hit game of the season.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs and Aggies will close the three game CUSA series with a single game on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
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