By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
HATTIESBURG , Miss. — Louisiana Tech cruised to two wins Saturday on day two of Southern Miss’ Black and Gold Challenge. The Bulldogs defeated the host team Southern Miss 4-2 in game one before securing a 6-2 win over UAPB to complete the Saturday sweep, both backed by dominant complete-game performances in the circle from Allie Floyd and Mattison Buster.
The victories improve LA Tech’s record to 10-8 overall and 3-1 in the Black and Gold Challenge.
GAME ONE
LA Tech jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over USM and never looked back as timely hitting and a strong outing from Allie Floyd led to a 4-2 win over host team USM. The Bulldogs drew first blood with run in the top of the second as Nicole Hammoude led the inning off with a double to right center. After a groundout and a pop out, KB Briley connected on a two-out bloop single to left field that drove in Hammoude for the first run of the contest.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the top of the third inning to make it 3-0 LA Tech. Alannah Rogers led off the frame with a walk and would come around to score on a Claire Raley triple to right center. Raley was able to reach home in the same sequence on a throwing error by the USM second baseman.
USM cut Tech’s lead to one run after scoring on a single and a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Bulldogs would respond with some insurance in the top of the seventh to cushion its lead. Elena Heng came around to score on an Alexis Gilio groundout after she reached on a single and advanced to third on a fielding error.
Allie Floyd secured her seventh win of the season by picking up two strikeouts and a groundout to finish off USM. Floyd earned the start in the circle and tossed her seventh complete game of the season after limiting the Golden Eagles to just two runs on four hits, while walking one and striking out six.
Heng led the Bulldogs with two hits, while Raley, Briley and Gilio all recorded one RBI apiece.
GAME TWO
Mattison Buster made her second start of the season against UAPB and was in control all night as the sophomore from Texas cruised to her first win of the season in the 6-2 victory, while also setting career highs in innings pitched (7.0) and strikeouts (7). Buster allowed just two runs on three hits, while walking none and striking out seven.
LA Tech scored a run in the bottom of the second as Hammoude reached base with a leadoff walk and came around to score on an error. The Bulldog lead did not last long as the Golden Lions plated two runs in the top of the third to take an early 2-1 lead. UAPB would get two runners aboard via a walk and dropped third strike, who would come around to score on a double.
The Bulldogs answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame as Gilio opened the inning with a single to short. Heng reached on a bunt and would come all the way around to score after a throwing error by the UAPB third baseman, which also allowed Gilio to score, giving LA Tech the 3-2 advantage.
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Bulldogs scored one run on a Hammoude triple to left center. Hammoude drove in Reagan Marchantwho reached base on a walk earlier in the frame. LA Tech added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it 6-2 LA Tech. Kaylee Grealy led off the inning with a single to left and would be pinch ran for by Jina Baffuto. After back-to-back groundouts, a timely single from Heng drove in Baffuto to make it 5-2. Rogers connected on a single, which placed Heng on second, who was then able to score on a Raley single to left center.
Heng recorded three hits in the win, along with two runs and one RBI. Rogers also registered a multi-hit game with two base knocks.
NOTABLES
Head coach Josh Taylor picked up his 345thwin as a head coach after defeating USM 4-2.
Allie Floyd made her ninth start of the season in the circle against USM.
Alli Floyd moves to 7-4 on the season after her win over Southern Miss.
Allie Floyd surpassed 60 strikeouts (62) on the season after recording six.
Allie Floyd logged her seventh complete game of the season after tossing all 7.0 innings in the win.
LA Tech moves to 36-18 all-time against the Golden Eagles after today’s victory.
Elena Heng recorded her team leading seventh and eighth multi-hit game of the season against USM and UAPB.
Alannah Rogers drew a season high three walks versus Southern Miss.
Claire Raley hit her team leading second triple of the season.
Mattison Buster made her second start of the season against UAPB in the night cap.
Mattison Buster picked up her first win of the season over UAPB and set a new career high with 7.0 innings pitched and seven strikeouts.
Kaylee Grealy made her first start of the season at second base against UAPB.
Elena Heng registered her team leading third three-hit game of the season against UAPB.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will wrap up the Black and Gold Challenge with one game on Sunday against Lamar. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.