By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
MADISON, Ala. — Louisiana Tech secured its second win over a ranked opponent this season, defeating No. 17 Auburn 5-1 on a cold Friday afternoon inside Toyota Field to open the Rocket City Showcase. The win moves LA Tech to 6-5 on the season, and it marks the first time since 2018 that the Bulldogs have defeated two top 25 ranked teams in the same season.
Junior pitcher Allie Floyd has a phenomenal performance in the circle as she limited the 17th ranked Tigers to just one run on one hit while setting a new career high with nine strikeouts. She faced the minimum number of batters in five of seven innings. Floyd moves to 5-2 this season with four complete games. The Texas native has two wins over top 25 teams this season after earning the win over No. 4 Oklahoma State in week one.
The Bulldogs outhit the Tigers 6-1 with Aleix Gilio, Alannah Rogers, Reagan Marchant, Claire Raley, Nicole Hammoude and Addison Snyder recording hits for LA Tech. Hammoude and Marchant led the team with two RBI each, while Raley led the team with two runs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
LA Tech used a two-run home run off the bat of Hammoude to take an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. Hammoude drove in Raley who reached on a fielding error to start the frame.
Auburn’s lone hit and run of the afternoon came in the bottom of the third inning. The second batter of the inning reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a walk. A wild pitch would allow both base runners to move up 60 feet, followed by a second walk of the inning to load the bases. The Tigers were able to plate a run on a throwing error by LA Tech’s catcher to make it 2-1 after three.
LA Tech added some insurance in the top of the sixth with a three-run inning. Gilio reached base on a bunt single to start the frame and was driven in by Marchant who hit a towering home run to left field to make it 4-1 Bulldogs. Raley followed Hammoude with a single to second and advanced 60 feet to second on a stolen base. After a fly out to center field, Addison Snyder singled through the right side to drive in Raley, making it 5-1 LA Tech.
NOTABLES
-The win over Auburn marks the first time the Bulldogs have beaten two top ranked 25 teams in a season since 2018 season.
-The Bulldogs move to 7-4 all-time against Auburn.
–Allie Floyd made her sixth start of the season.
–Allie Floyd moves to 5-2 in the circle after pitching her fourth complete game of the season.
–Nicole Hammoude hit her second home run of the season.
–Nicole Hammoude has extended her on base streak to 11 games.
–Reagan Marchant has hit a home run in three straight games.
–Reagan Marchant has a team leading six game hit streak.
–Alexis Gilio has a five-game hit streak.
–Alannah Rogers and Claire Raley have four game hit streaks.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday afternoon with two more games in the Rocket City Showcase. LA Tech will take on Mississippi State at 12:30 p.m., followed by a matchup against ETSU at 5:00 p.m. Both games will be played at Charger Park on the campus of Alabama Huntsville.