By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Louisiana Tech softball bounced back in a big way in game two on Saturday, defeating ETSU 12-8. The Bulldogs dropped their first matchup of the afternoon to No. 17 Mississippi State 10-1.The Win moves LA Tech to 7-6 on the season and 2-1 in the Rocket City Showcase.
GAME ONE
Mississippi State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after a leadoff home run and never looked back, scoring 10 runs across the first three innings.
The Bulldogs belted one home run and one grand slam which accounted for five of the team’s runs. MSU would also score on a bases loaded walk, a wild pitch, & single, a sac fly and a stolen base.
LA Tech finished the game with two hits, one from Elena Heng in the first inning on a bunt single to start the afternoon, followed by a solo shot to left field off the bat of Karolyn Glover for her first career home run.
Alyssa Martin got the start in the circle and took the loss after six runs on six hits in 1.1 innings of work.
GAME TWO
LA Tech registered a season-high 12 runs in the second game of the afternoon as the Bulldogs took down ETSU 12-8 while outhitting the Buccaneers 13-9.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after the first frame as Heng came around to score the first run as Claire Raley was hit by pitch with the bases loaded. Heng reached on a single to start the evening, followed by singles from Alannah Rogers and Reagan Marchant. Nicole Hammoude drove in Marchant and Rogers to make it 3-0, followed by a sac fly from Addison Snyder that scored Raley to make it 4-0.
ETSU score two in the second and two in the fourth to tie the game. The Bulldogs answered back with three runs in the bottom of the of the fourth as Alexis Gilio came around to score on a stolen base after reaching on a single to short. Rogers got on board with a single through the right side and would score on a two-run home from from Marchant.
Hammoude came around to score in the fifth on a KB Briley single up the middle to make it 8-4 Tech.
ETSU posted four runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game at eight apeice, but LA Tech once again answered ane posted its second four-run inning of the night in the bottom of the frame. Heng reached on a single to start the bottom of the inning and advanced 90 feet to third on a Gilio fielder’s choice and a Rogers hit by pitch, which loaded the bases. Heng came around to score on a wild pitch, followed by Raley who hit a three run home run to give LA Tech the 12-8 advantage.
NOTABLES
Alyssa Martin made her third start of the season in the circle against Miss State.
Karolyn Glover hit her first career home run against Miss State.
LA Tech is now 1-0 against ETSU.
Elena Heng collected four hits on the day, including three against ETSU.
Laney Johnson made her second start of the season against ETSU.
Allie Floyd won her second relief appearance of the season against ETSU.
Heng, Marchant, Rogers and Snyder all had two hit games.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will close out the Rocket City Showcase Sunday afternoon as they face Ole Miss at 12:30 p.m.