BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Louisiana Tech softball struggled to string together hits on Thursday as the Bulldogs were blanked 8-0 by Liberty in six innings in the second round of the Conference USA Tournament.
 
The Flames outhit the Bulldogs 9-3 in the loss as they recorded three solo home runs. Alexis Gilio collected two singles for LA Tech followed by Elena Heng who recorded a bunt single.
 
Laney Johnson earned the start and gave up five runs on three hits, lasting 0.2 innings. Mattison Buster pitched 4.1 innings in relief and allowed two runs on five hits. Ryleigh Shull pitched the final 0.1 innings and allowed one run on one hit while striking out one and walking three.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Gilio recorded a leadoff single to right in the top of the first and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Claire Raley. Two strikeouts would leave Gilio stranded at second.
 
The Flames came out hot as they plated five runs on four hits in the bottom of the first. Liberty used a leadoff solo home run on a 2-2 count to get the scoring started. A walk and a single to the number two and three batters would put two on for KK Madrey. After a flyout, Madrey tripled down the right field line and cleared the bases to make it 3-0. After a foul out for the second out of the inning, Johnson would allow a base on balls and be replaced by Buster. Jessee recorded a double to left center two drive in the games fifth run.
 
LA Tech got two runners on base in the top of the third as Heng and Gilio recorded back-to-back singles, marking the Bulldogs' final two hits of the game.
 
Liberty took a 6-0 lead on a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth, followed by a solo shot in the fifth to make it 7-0. The Flames loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth as they used a single, and two walks. A third walk to Rachel Roupe would allow Liberty to plate its 8^th run of the game, giving the 8-0 victory.
 
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs move to 12-13 all-time in CUSA Tournament games.
Ryleigh Shull made her first appearance in the circle since March 16 at UTEP.
Laney Johnson made her 16^th start of the season in the circle.
Alexis Gilio registered her 15^th multi-hit game of the season.
Elena Heng robbed her first career home run.
 
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will take on the No. 2 seed WKU in an elimination game on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.