By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
KENNESAW — Louisiana Tech completed a three-game Conference USA sweep of Kennesaw State after blanking the Owls 6-0 on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Park. The win moves the Bulldogs to 28-18 (14-7 CUSA).
Allie Floyd tossed a complete-game shutout in the circle while Nicole Hammoude finished 4-for-4 at the plate with five RBI. The Bulldogs outhit the Owls 10-6 in the win.
Alexis Gilio had a two-hit day the at the plate, while Allie Furr, Reagan Marchant, Alannah Rogers, and Kaylee Grealy finished with one hit apiece.
Floyd (20-9) went the distance in the circle as she tossed a seven-inning complete game. She struck out eight while walking just two. She became the 18th Bulldog softball player to earn 20-wins in a single season in program history.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs used three consecutive doubles to take an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Gilio recorded a two-out double, followed by Marchant who doubled home Gilio to make it 1-0 LA Tech. Hammoude hit a third straight double to score Marchant to make it 2-0.
After a scoreless second inning, Furr singled up the middle to start the top of the third and would advance to second on a wild pitch. Hammoude connected on a double to left field to score Furr, giving the Bulldogs a 3-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs would leave five runners stranded across the next three frames, but Hammoude was able to clear the bases with a three-run home run in the top of the seventh to give the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead. Gilio singled to start to frame, followed by a walk to Marchant to put two runners on for Hammoude. Hammoude connected on her eighth home run of the season while giving the Bulldogs three insurance runs late.
Floyd worked around a double in the bottom of the seventh as she used a groundout, a pop up, and flyout to secure the complete game win.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs moved to 3-0 all-time against Kennesaw.
Allie Floyd made her 23rd start of the season in the circle.
Allie Floyd won her 20th game of the season and became the 18th player in program history to reach 20 wins in a season.
Allie Floyd tossed her 14th complete game of the season and her third shutout.
Nicole Hammoude hit her eighth home run of the season.
Nicole Hammoude finished with five RBI, marking her 13th multi-RBI game of the season.
Nicole Hammoude recorded her 12th multi-hit game of the season after finishing 4-4 at the plate.
Nicole Hammoude became the first Bulldog to reach 40 RBI this season.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Tuesday evening as they travel to Nacogdoches, Texas, to face Stephen F. Austin in a 6 p.m. matchup. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.