YOUNGSVILLE, La. – Louisiana Tech softball closed the Mardi Mambo with a 7-4 win over Georgia State on Sunday at the Youngsville Sports Complex. The Bulldogs finished the three-day event with a 3-2 mark to improve their record to 8-2 on the season.  
 
LA Tech scored five of its runs on home runs by Reagan Marchant and Reese Torres, as Marchant had a three-run blast while Torres connected on a two-run shot. Allie Furr had a two-hit day and drove in one run while Elena Heng also recorded two base knocks.
 
Bradi Gallaway registered one hit and one RBI, followed by Cali Bennett, Aleah Brooks and Jina Baffuto who all had one hit apiece. Four of Tech's 10 hits went for extra bases.
 
Ruby Fidge earned the win in the circle after pitching five innings of one run softball. Fidge allowed one unearned run on five hits and struck out three in her relief appearance. Bryannah Campos tossed the final two frames and allowed one run on three hits. Ryleigh Shull made the start and gave up two runs on two hits while walking two.
 
The Panthers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, taking advantage of two singles, two walks and a sac fly.
 
After a scoreless second, LA Tech's bats came alive in the third, registering seven runs on six hits. Jina Baffuto led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Heng bunt. Gallaway singled to right field to score Baffuto while Heng moved to third. Marchant was able to clear the bases with her third home run of the weekend, driving in Gallaway and Heng to make it 4-2.
 
Brooks followed with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Avery Jefferson, who stole second and later scored on a triple by Furr. Torres then homered to left-center to drive in Furr and give Tech a 7-2 lead.
 
Georgia State added runs in the fourth and seventh innings, but the Bulldogs limited the damage to secure a 7-4 victory. Campos worked around three singles in the seventh to close the game. 
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Josh Taylor
 
On finishing the weekend strong and the bats coming alive late…
"This week we had many challenges. There were times that our offense was explosive, and there were times that we fell short of our offensive capabilities. Reagan Marchant, Reese Torres, Aleah Brooks, and Bradi Gallaway were able to start and become the run producers we know they are, and our speed players found a way to consistently set the table for them. We played very well defensively all week and will look for that to continue."

On his pitching staff and their performance…
"Our pitching was really strong at times, led by Allie Floyd and Laney Johnson. We still need to find consistency with how we attack hitters and get ahead in counts. Ruby Fidge was fantastic on Sunday, getting out of a tough situation in the first inning and giving up no earned runs through five innings of work. Overall, there is much room for improvement, but I feel we are just getting started with how good this ball club can be."
 
NOTABLES
- LA Tech moves to 10-5 all-time in Mardia Gras Mambo games.
- LA Tech moves to 9-0 all-time against Georgia State.
- The Bulldogs finished with 10 hits, marking the fourth time they have recorded 10 or more hits in a game this season.
- The Bulldogs collected multiple home runs (2) for the second straight game.
- Reagan Marchant hit her 21^st career home run and is now tied for ninth all time in program history with current assistant coach Madie Green.
- Reagan Marchant registered her 21^st career multi-RBI game.
- Reese Torres hit her 13^th career home run and her second as a Bulldog.
- Ruby Fidge earned her first NCAA DI win in the circle.
- Elena Heng recorded her fourth multi-hit game of the season and the 23^rd of her career.
- Allie Furr registered her 10^th career multi-hit game.  
  
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Tuesday for their home opener against Northwestern State. First pitch from Dr. Billy Bundrick Field is set for 6:00 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.