By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Darrell James
RUSTON — Costly errors proved to be the difference maker as Louisiana Tech fell to Liberty 6-2 in the series opener at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field on Friday night. The loss moves LA Tech to 29-19 (14-8 CUSA).
The Bulldogs led 2-1 entering the fifth, but three two-out errors led to four runs for the Flames, followed by an error in the sixth that led to a sixth and final run.
Allie Floyd made her 24th start of the season in the circle and made a quality start, allowing four hits, five runs (one earned), while striking out two in 5.0 innings of work. Floyd’s four unearned runs were results of errors that prolonged the fifth. She moves to 20-10 on the season after taking the loss.
Alyssa Martin pitched the final two frames and allowed one run (none earned) on three hits.
Alexis Gilio led the Bulldogs with two hits, one RBI, and one run. Reagan Marchant and Jina Baffuto both recorded doubles, while Marchant drove in one run. Marchant, Baffuto, Claire Raley and Nicole Hammoude all recorded one hit apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Liberty jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as they used a solo home run off the bat of Rachel Roupe.
The Bulldogs left one runner on base in the first and another stranded at second in the second. Hammoude singled to left center to start the second and advanced to second on a bunt single from Raley. LA Tech would hit into a double play to end its threat.
Floyd sat the Flames down in order in the top of the third, followed by a three hit, two run inning from the Bulldogs to take a 2-1 lead. Baffuto doubled to right field to start the frame and advanced to second on a two-out wild pitch. Gilio recorded a two-out single to left to score Baffuto.
Marchant followed with a double to center to score Gilio from first, making it 2-1 LA Tech.
After a scoreless fourth, the Flames used three hits and three errors to take a 5-2 lead. Floyd used a pop up and a groundout to start the inning, before allowing a hit and a fielding error to place a runner on second. A second consecutive hit and throwing error scored the runner from second, followed by a fielding error that allowed a run to cross.
Liberty hit an ensuing two-run home run after the three consecutive Bulldog errors to make it 5-2 after five. The Flames tacked on one more in the sixth as they used one hit and one take the 6-2 lead.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth with a hit by pitch and two walks, but a fielder’s choice and a 6-2 putout, followed by a double play ended LA Tech’s scoring threat.
NOTABLES
LA Tech moves to 0-7 against Liberty all-time after the loss.
Allie Floyd made her 24th start of the season in the circle.
LA Tech’s four errors is a season high.
Alexis Gilio finished with two hits, marking her 14th multi-hit game of the season. She is now the third LA Tech player with 50+ hits this season.
Reagan Marchant hit her 10th double of the season and now has 25 extra base hits this season.
Alexis Gilio scored her 30th run of the season.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs and Flames will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for game two of the series. First pitch from Dr. Billy Bundrick Field is set for 2 p.m.