By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Darrell James
RUSTON — A three-run sixth inning lifted Louisiana Tech to a 4-2 win over Jacksonville State on a warm and muggy Friday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field in the first game of this weekend’s three-game Conference USA series against the Gamecocks.
The win moves LA Tech to 22-14 (9-4 CUSA), while Jax State sits at 23-15 (6-7 CUSA). Both teams finished with seven hits apiece, but it was LA Tech’s four-hit three-run sixth and timely hitting that proved to be the deciding factor in the win. Jax State scored both of its run on solo home runs.
Allie Furr led the Bulldogs with two hits, while Reagan Marchant, Nicole Hammoude, Claire Raley, Alannah Rogers, and Elena Heng all had one hit apiece. Marchant, Hammoude, Raley, and Rogers all drove in one run each, while Hammoude, Furr, Heng, and Alexis Gilioall scored a run.
Allie Floyd (16-7) made her 17th start of the season in the circle and gave LA Tech five solid before exiting the game after 5.0 innings of work with the game tied at one. Floyd allowed one run on six hits while striking out three.
Laney Johnson (3-1) recorded her third win of the season after tossing the final two frames in relief. Johnson allowed one solo home run to the second batter she faced which was the only hit she gave up. It was just her fourth appearance out of the bullpen.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After an incredible diving catch from Elena Heng in foul territory to start the game, Emma Elrod hit a solo home run over the field wall to put the Gamecocks on top 1-0.
After a scoreless second inning, the Bulldogs tied things up in the bottom of the third after collecting three two-out hits in the frame. Heng singled on an 0-2 count with two outs for the Bulldogs’ first hit of the afternoon and advanced to second on an infield single to second from Furr. Marchant recorded a two out single through the left side to score Heng from second, who was able to beat the throw home.
Jax State threatened in the top of the fifth as the Gamecocks placed two runners on first and second via a single and walk. Jax State recorded a two-out single and tried to score the runner from second, but she was tagged out at the plate after a strong throw from Gilio in center field.
With the game tied at 1-1 entering the sixth, Jax State hit its second home run of the ball game to take a 2-1 lead over LA Tech. The Bulldogs responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame to take the 4-2 lead. Furr doubled to left field to start the inning and scored easily to the game at 2-2 on a big triple from Hammoude that just missed leaving the park, bouncing high off the wall in left center. Raley followed with a third hit to score Hammoude, making it 3-2 LA Tech.
Gilio reached on a fielder’s choice and replaced Raley at first and then advanced to second on a steal. Rogers doubled to left and plated Gilio for the final run of the game, making it 4-2 LA Tech.
Laney Johnson worked around a walk in the top of the seventh and used a ground out, a fielder’s choice, and a fly out to secure the win.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs move to 4-7 against Jax State after the win.
LA Tech has won six games in a row at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
Allie Floyd made her 17th start of the season in the circle.
Laney Johnson moved to 3-1 in the circle after pitching the final two frames to earn the win in relief.
Today marked KB Briley’s 100th career game played.
Elena Heng stole her 10th base of the season.
Allie Furr recorded her fifth multi-hit game of the season after leading the way with two hits.
Nicole Hammoude extended her reached-base streak to 22 games.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs and Gamecocks are scheduled to play tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., but due to incoming severe weather, the game could be moved to Sunday. Fans are encouraged to pay attention to LA Tech’s social media channels and the LA Tech App over the next few hours for any schedule changes.