By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
MIAMI — Louisiana Tech salvaged its series against Florida International as the Bulldogs defeated the Panthers 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at FIU Softball Stadium. The win moves LA Tech to 25-18 (11-8 CUSA).
Allie Floyd moved to 18-9 in the circle after tossing her 13th complete game against the Panthers on Sunday. She allowed four runs on five hits. The right-hander struck out five and walked four.
LA Tech outhit FIU 10-5 as Nicole Hammoudeled the way with three hits and two RBI. Elena Heng and Claire Raley finished with two hits each while Alannah Rogers, Karolyn Glover, and Jina Baffuto all collected one hit apiece.
Hammoude batted in two runs, followed by Heng, Raley, and Alexis Gilio who all drove in one run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Scoreless through the first three innings, LA Tech used two hits two with outs in the top of the fourth to take an early 1-0. Hammoude recorded a two-out double to left, followed by a Raley double down the left field line to score Hammoude.
The Bulldogs tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-0 lead as they used three hits, a sac fly and a ground out. Karolyn Glover, Baffuto, and Heng all singled to start the inning to load the bases for Gilio. Gracie Flores pinch ran for Glover and came around to score on an Alexis Gilio sac fly to left. Hammoude singled up the middle to drive in Baffuto to make it 4-0 LA Tech.
FIU responded in a big way in the bottom of the frame as they used three hits and two walks to tie the game at four apiece.
LA Tech battled back in the top of the sixth inning as Heng grounded out to the pitcher to drive in Rogers. Rogers reached on a double to start the inning and advanced to third on a Glover sac bunt. Rogers run would be the final run of the game, making it 5-0 LA Tech.
Floyd recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth and used a flyout and two strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs move to 10-15 all-time against FIU after the win.
Allie Floyd made her 21st start of the season in the circle and moved to 18-9 after earning the win.
Allie Floyd pitched all 7.0 innings to record her 13th complete game of the season.
Allie Floyd now has 153 strikeouts on the season after fanning five batters.
Nicole Hammoude recorded her 11th multi-hit game of the season.
Elena Heng recorded her 16th multi-hit game of the season.
Claire Raley recorded her 12th multi-hit game of the season.
Nicole Hammoude recorded her 12th multi-RBI game of the season.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will travel to Kennesaw, Ga., to face Kennesaw State in a game a three-game Conference USA series that is set to start next Thursday.