By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech used a five-run sixth inning to propel themselves to an 8-7 comeback win over Middle Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The win gives LA Tech two straight CUSA series wins after the Bulldogs defeated the Blue Raiders in Friday’s opener. LA Tech moves to 18-11 (6-2 CUSA).
The Bulldogs were led by Reagan Marchantwho finished the day with three hits and two RBI. Jina Baffuto and Nicole Hammoude both collected two base hits while Baffuto also drove in two runs. Alexis Gilio plated three runs on a solo blast. Gilio, Elena Heng, Allie Furr, Claire Raley, and Addison Snyder all had one hit each, while Snyder added one RBI to her stat line.
True freshman Laney Johnson made the start in the circle and gave the Bulldogs 5.0 innings while allowing three runs on three hits. Johnson pitched four scoreless frames before allowing three runs to cross in the fifth. Alyssa Martin faced two batters to the start the sixth, but was pulled after issuing a walk, and hitting a batter, both of which came around to score.
Allie Floyd earned her 14th win of the season after reliving Martin in the top of the sixth. Floyd allowed two runs on two hits while striking out two.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Baffuto doubled off the wall in left center to score Hammoude. Hammoude led off the frame with a single and reached second after a walk to Snyder.
LA Tech added two runs to its total in the bottom of the second to take an early 3-0 lead. With two outs in the inning, Hammoude reached base on a single to center, followed by a single from Marchant to put two aboard. Snyder followed with a third consecutive single that scored Hammoude, followed by a fourth straight single from Baffuto that plated Marchant.
After a scoreless fourth inning, MTSU was able to tie the game at three apiece on a three-run home run from Ava Tepe. MTSU placed two runners on base for Tepe via a single and walk to start the frame.
The Blue Raiders pushed their lead to 7-3 after responding with four runs in the top of the sixth. MTSU capitalized on walk and hit by pitch to start the inning, followed by single to load the bases. The Blue Raiders went up 4-3 on a sac fly, followed by a three-run home run to make it 7-3 MTSU.
The Bulldogs answered the call in the bottom of the frame with five runs to take back the lead. After a flyout to start the inning, Heng singled to right to reach base, followed by an error that allowed Furr to reach safely. Gilo connected on a three-run home run of her own to make it 7-6 MTSU.
The Blue Raiders went to the bullpen and Raley welcomed the new pitcher into the game with a double to right field. Hammoude followed with a walk and then advanced 60 feet along with Raley to get into scoring position for Marchant, who drove both runners in on a double to left center to make it 8-7 LA Tech.
Floyd struck out the first batter of the seventh followed by fly out for the second out. After issuing a walk, Floyd induced a ground ball out to third to secure the 8-7 win for the Bulldogs.
NOTABLES
LA Tech moves to 15-12 all-time against MTSU.
Laney Johnson made her eighth start of the season in the circle.
Allie Floyd earned her 14th win of the season in the circle after tossing the final 2.0 innings in relief.
Jina Baffuto made her seventh start of the season.
Jina Baffuto logged her first multi-hit and multi-RBI game of the season.
Nicole Hammoude recorded her eighth multi-hit game of the season.
Reagan Marchant recorded her first career three-hit game.
Alexis Gilio hit her second career home run.
Claire Raley scored her 30th run of the season.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs and Blue Raiders will be back in action tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. to close out the three game series.