By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
EL PASO, Texas — Louisiana Tech used two home runs and an RBI single to defeat UTEP 4-3 on a windy Saturday afternoon at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex, where gusts exceeded 30 mph. The win moves LA Tech to 14-11 (2-2 CUSA).
Allie Floyd made her 13th start of the season in the circle, logging her ninth complete game on the way to her 10th win. Floyd allowed three runs on 11 hits while striking out seven and walking just one.
Claire Raley and Karolyn Glover led the Bulldogs with two hits apiece, while Raley, and Reagan Marchant both recorded two RBI. Marchant, Elena Heng, Allie Furr, and Alexis Gilio all registered one base hit.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless top of the first inning for the Bulldogs, Floyd allowed two Miners to reach base in the bottom of the frame but was able to escape the inning unscathed. She allowed a lead off single, followed by a sac bunt that placed a Miner in scoring position. UTEP recorded a second single to place runners on first and third with one out, but a strikeout and pop out would end UTEP’s scoring threat.
The Bulldogs took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second as Marchant hit a two-run home run to right-center that scored Nicole Hammoude who reached base on a six-pitch walk.
UTEP plated three runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 3-2 advantage over the Bulldogs. The Miners would once again hit a lead off single, followed by a sac bunt to place a runner on second. A second single would place runners on first and third with one out. The Miners were able to plate their runner from third on a throwing error as the runner from first stole second base. Floyd struck out the following batter to record the second out, but UTEP plated two more runs on three consecutive singles to lead 3-2.
LA Tech tied the game in the top of the third as Heng came around to score on a Raley single to center.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, Raley hit a solo home run to lead off the sixth inning to give the Bulldogs the one run lead.
Floyd utilized three consecutive ground balls to short to end the bottom of the sixth. UTEP threatened in the bottom of the seventh as the Miners would connect on their 11th hit of the game to get the leadoff runner aboard. Floyd was able to record a strikeout, a pop out, and a fly out to secure the victory for the Bulldogs.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Josh Taylor
On today’s win and what worked well…
“Allie Floyd’s mental capacity to compete the way she does, she did not have her best stuff, she was off kilter, the wind was ripping and there were just tough conditions, but her competing is the difference. We had the big swing by Marchant in the second inning with a two-run homer, and then Raley with a two-out RBI, and then Raley with a home run, which proved to be the game winner. We have to find a way to have more quality at bats consistently through our order. I thought Allie Furr was good today again, Karolyn Glovercame in off the bench and had two hits and that was really encoring to see. We just have to find a way to be more consistent. Our offense is good enough, but we have to find a way to be more consistent in our at bats. We’re going to need to hit better tomorrow. I know we had eight hits, but we have to find a way to be more consistent. Right now, we have a couple of girls competing at a really high level, but we need everybody there if we want to make a run at this, but Allie Floyd was the difference today.”
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs move to 26-17 all-time against UTEP.
Allie Floyd made her 13th start of the season in the circle.
Allie Floyd picked up her 10th win of the season, while tossing her ninth complete game.
Allie Floyd struck out 5+ batters for the 11thgame in a row after recording seven strikeouts.
Reagan Marchant hit her team leading sixth home run of the season.
Claire Raley recorded her 30th hit of the season.
Claire Raley hit her fifth home run of the season.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs and Miners will be back in action Sunday as the two will play a double header with the first game beginning at 11:30 a.m. CT. Game two will start 35 minutes after the completion of game one.