By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech won its sixth straight game as the Bulldogs took down the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders 7-2 on Friday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The win moves LA Tech to 17-11 (4-2 CUSA).
Allie Floyd picked up her 13th win of the season in the circle after tossing her 10thcomplete game. Floyd set a new career high with 11 strikeouts in the win, marking the first time a LA Tech pitcher has recorded 10+ strikeouts since the 2021 season. She allowed six hits and two runs while issuing two walks in 7.0 innings of work.
The Bulldogs outhit the Blue Raiders 11-6, with all 11 of Tech’s hits being singles. Nicole Hammoude led the Bulldogs with three hits, while Elena Heng and Alexis Gilio added two base knocks apiece. Allie Furr, Alannah Rogers, Claire Raley, and KB Briley all finished with one hit each. Hammoude, Furr, and Briley all logged one RBI apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Allie Floyd was dominant from the start as the junior right-hander recorded seven strikeouts for the games first seven outs. Floyd allowed one double in the top of the first after striking out the first two batters and bounced back to strikeout and the fourth batter of the inning.
The Bulldogs plated one run in the bottom of the first as Heng reached base on a bunt single and came around to score on a Hammoude single to center. Heng was able to reach second on a Rogers single to right center.
After striking out the side in the top of the second, the Bulldogs scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-0 lead. Briley reached on a single to left and advanced to second on a Gilio single. Briley and Gilio both advanced 60 feet on a wild pitch, followed by a single from Furr that plated Briley and placed Gilio on third. Furr and Gilio executed a double steal to make it 3-0 LA Tech.
Floyd logged her seventh strikeout of the evening to start the top of the third, followed by a fly out to center and a diving catch by Rogers in right.
MTSU got on the board in the top of the fourth as Jana Want hit a solo home run to center.
After a scoreless fifth, the Blue Raiders scored one run in the sixth to make it 4-2 LA Tech. MTSU used a single and walk to get two runners on base, followed by a second single from Lexi Medlock that drove in a run.
The Bulldogs used back-to-back singles from Gilio and Heng to get two on base to start the bottom of the sixth, followed by a third single of the inning from Raley to load the bases. Hammoude reached base on an error by MTSU’s right fielder that would allow all three runners to score, making it 7-2 LA Tech.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs move to 14-12 all-time against MTSU.
LA Tech has won six straight games dating back to March 9.
Allie Floyd made her 14th start of the season.
Allie Floyd set a new career high with 11 strikeouts. She became the first LA Tech pitcher to record 10+ strikeouts in a game since Bre Hernandez fanned 11 in 201.
Allie Floyd moved to 13-5 on the season and matched her career high in wins.
Elena Heng recorded her 12 multi-hit game of the season after collecting two base knocks.
Nicole Hammoude registered her seventh multi-hit game of the season after recording a season high three hits.
Nicole Hammoude recorded her 30th hit of the season and her 25th RBI.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs and Blue Raiders will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. for game two of the three game CUSA series.