Lady Techsters fall to rival ULM 5-4
Photo by Tom Morris
Louisiana Tech’s Kylie Neel had three hits, but the Lady Techsters fell 5-4 to Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) Tuesday at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) scratched for a seventh inning run, and the Warhawks knocked off Louisiana Tech 5-4 Tuesday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
Tech (13-19) had overcome an early 3-0 deficit by plating four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, but ULM (11-20) tied the game with a single run in the fifth and then scored the game-winner in the seventh.
Freshman Lauren Menzina (1-1) got the start in the circle for the Lady Techsters and worked 5.0 strong innings, allowing just four runs – only two earned – on six singles and one walk.
“I was really proud of Lauren,” said Tech interim head coach Bianca Duran. “I was really proud of how she came out tonight, really commanding all of her pitches. She kept us in the game and gave us a chance.”
ULM scored a single run in the second and then plated two more in the top of the fourth inning, capitalizing on an infield error.
Tech responded in the bottom half of the frame, scoring four runs to take the 4-3 lead. Caroline Easom scored the first run on a bloop single to left field and then one out later, Jordyn Manning line a single to left centerfield to plate two runs and tie the game at 3-3.
Kylie Neel, who was 3-for-3 and reached base safely all four times, then doubled off the base of the wall in right field to plate Manning and give Tech the lead.
After Tech chased the first two ULM pitchers, Amber Coons came on in the bottom of the fifth inning for the Warhawks and worked the final 2.2 innings without surrendering a hit.
“We did a great job offensively of running those first two pitchers,” said Duran. “When they brought in (Coons) we just weren’t as sharp. Give her credit. We were chasing.”
Easom and KB Briley joined Neel with multi-hit performances for Tech with two hits apiece.
The Lady Techsters will head to UAB this weekend for a four-game series against the Blazers.