Tech splits with UTEP in Sunday softball action

Seniors Madie Green and Zoe Hicks both homered to lift Louisiana Tech to a 6-4 win over UTEP in game one of a doubleheader at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field Sunday evening.

UTEP tossed a two-hit shutout to claim the nightcap 1-0.

The two teams completed the series Monday with a doubleheader. With Tech trailing 4-3 and two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning of game one, Green laced a three-run home run over the left field fence igniting the Lady Techsters to a 6-4 come-from-behind win in the first game of the day.

Tech (16-24, 5-5 C-USA) trailed 3-0 and 4-3 in the contest but Green’s fourth home run of the season proved to be the difference.

UTEP plated one run in the first and two more in the fourth against Tech starter Audrey Pickett (5-10), who picked up her fifth win of the year in the complete-game effort.

Zoe Hicks launched the first pitch of the bottom of the fourth inning of the right field fence, starting a three-run frame. Caroline Easom followed with a single and after a sacrifice bunt, Brooke Diaz drilled a double down the left field line to plate Easom and cut the deficit to 3-2.

Two batters later, Kylie Neel tied the game on a sacrifice fly to right field.

UTEP retook the lead at 4-3 with a single run in the top of the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Jordyn Manning walked and then Neel reached on a dropped fly ball by the UTEP centerfield, putting runners on second and third. After a strikeout for the second out of the inning, Green pulled the ball down the left field line for the three-run shot.

UTEP threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with 1 out. But Pickett recorded her fourth strikeout of the game and then got a ground ball to third base to end the game.

In game two, Senior Bre Hernandez pitched seven strong innings, but Tech managed just two hits in the 1-0 loss to the Miners.

Hernandez allowed a single in the second and a single in the fifth. UTEP capitalized on a hit by pitch, single and two walks in the fifth to plate the only run of the game.

Amanda Gonzalez doubled in the fifth and Brooke Diaz singled with two outs in the seventh for the only hits of the game for Tech.

Hernandez (6-9) took the loss, despite striking out seven in the game.