Box Score HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Trailing 2-0 entering the sixth inning, the Louisiana Tech softball team scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat Lipscomb 3-2 on Friday afternoon at the Southern Miss Black and Gold Challenge, giving the Bulldogs eight consecutive Opening Day victories.
 
Senior Allie Floyd made the start in the circle and pitched four scoreless innings before allowing a two-spot in the top of the fifth inning. Floyd lasted 4.2 innings while allowing two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
 
Laney Johnson (1-0) notched the win after pitching the final 2.1 innings, allowing two hits, no runs and zero walks.
 
Elena Heng, Bradi Gallaway, Reese Torres, Aleah Brooks, Rosalie Dufresne and Allie Furr recorded hits in the win. Heng led the team with two RBI followed by Gallaway with one. Gallaway, Furr and Avery Jefferson all scored runs.
 
Tech was able to get three different runners to second across the first four frames but could not capitalize. Lipscomb got the scoring started in the fifth, taking a 2-0 lead. Macyn Kirby and Chapel Cunningham registered back-to-back one out singles and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. A sacrifice bunt allowed Kirby to score the first run of the day while Cunningham came home on an Aubri Ettinger single to make it 2-0.
 
The Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the sixth, plating three runs on three hits. Gallaway led off the inning with a solo shot to center, marking the freshman's first career home run. Brooks followed that up with a single through the left side and was pinch for by Avery Jefferson. After a strikeout and a fly out, Furr and Alannah Rogers drew two out walks, loading the bases for Heng. The sophomore singled to second base and scored by Rogers and Furr to put Tech on top 3-2.
 
Johnson worked around a lead off single and a sac bunt to close the seventh.
 
NOTABLES
- LA Tech improves to 37-8-1 in season openers, marking the eighth consecutive season opening win dating back to 2019.
- Head coach Josh Taylor is now 5-0 in season openers at LA Tech.
- The Bulldogs move to 5-1 all-time against Lipscomb.
- Elena Heng and Reese Torres improved their hit streaks to five games.
- Bradi Gallaway, Aleah Brooks and Rosalie Dufresne recorded their first career hits.
- Bradi Gallaway hit her first career home run.
- Allie Floyd has now recorded 25 outings with five or more strikeouts in her career.
- The Bulldogs only struck out twice.
 
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will be back in action tomorrow morning with two games. LA Tech will take on UAB at 9:00 a.m. followed by a matchup with SEMO at 11:30 a.m.