By Stephen Featherson, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Stephen Featherston
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Laney Johnson tossed the program’s first no-hitter in six years as Louisiana Tech blanked Stephen F. Austin 9-0 in five innings on Tuesday night at SFA Softball Field. The win moves LA Tech to 29-18.
Johnson (5-3) pitched a five-inning complete game no-hitter to earn the win in the circle. She allowed no hits and no walks while striking out two. Her no-hitter marks the programs first no-hit bid since Preslie Gallaway no-hit Penn State on Feb. 24, 2019. Johnson carried a perfect game into the final frame and recorded two outs before a fielding error allowed the Lumberjacks to get a runner on base.
Reagan Marchant led the Bulldogs at the plate as she collected two hits, three RBI, and two runs. Marchant hit her 14th home run of the season.
Claire Raley finished with one hit and three RBI, followed by Alexis Gilio who scored three runs, collected one hits and one RBI. Addison Snyder finished with one hit and one RBI, while Elena Heng, Allie Furr, Kaylee Grealy, and Nicole Hammoude collected one hit apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
LA Tech took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as they used two hits and one error to take an early lead. Furr collected the game’s first hit as she singled through the left side. Gilio reached on a fielding error while Furr moved to second. Marchant drove in LA Tech’s first run of the night as she singled home Furr to make it 1-0. The Bulldogs scratched another run across as Marchant stole second and Gilio advanced home on the throw to make it 2-0.
The Bulldogs plated three runs on two hits to make it 5-0 in the top of the third. Gilio reached base on a fielding error and made it all the way to third, while Marchant reached base on a walk. A triple from Raley to right center scored Marchant and Gilio to make it 4-0 ‘Dogs.
Addison Snyder singled to center and drove in Raley to make it 5-0 after three.
LA Tech took a 9-0 lead in the top of the fourth as they used four hits and one error in the inning. Heng reached on a bunt to start the frame and advanced 60 feet to second on a stolen base. A groundout moved Heng over to third, while a Gilio double to left center would bring her home.
With Gilio standing on second, Marchant hit her 14th home run of the season to dead center to give LA Tech an 8-0 lead. Hammoude followed Marchant with a double to center and came around to score on a fielding error to make it 9-0.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs move to 48-23 all-time against SFA after the win.
Laney Johnson made her 14th start of the season in the circle.
Laney Johnson moved to 5-3 after tossing the program’s first no-hitter in six seasons.
Reagan Marchant recorded her 10th multi-hit game of the season.
Reagan Marchant hit her 14th home run of the season and is now tied for second for the most in a single season at LA Tech.
Reagan Marchant recorded her 13th multi-RBI game of the season after finishing with three.
Claire Raley recorded her ninth multi-RBI game of the season after finishing with three.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will be back in action this weekend as they host Liberty in a three-game Conference USA series. First pitch of the series is set for Friday night at 6 p.m. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.