By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Malcolm Butler
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — Back-to-back four run innings propelled Louisiana Tech to a 9-4 win over Northern Colorado in the 2025 season opener on Thursday evening in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
In her first college game, former Airline star Elena Heng had a double, walked twice and scored two runs.
Allie Floyd got the start in the circle for LA Tech and went the distance as she did not allow a run until the sixth inning. The junior right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking three.
Nicole Hammoude and Reagan Marchanteach had two hits apiece, while Hammoude and Addison Snyder led the Bulldogs with two RBI each. Eight of LA Tech’s nine starters recorded one hit, while KB Briley and Claire Raley both plated one run apiece.
The Bulldogs would have scoring chances early in the contest after loading the bases in the first inning with as Heng reached on a walk, followed by an Alannah Rogers single and a walk from Snyder. LA Tech was unable to capitalize after two fly outs would end the frame.
LA Tech was able to plate its first run of the season on a Briley sac fly to center that allowed Gracie Flores to score from third, who was inserted as a pinch runner after Reagan Marchant led off the inning with a single deep in the hole to short.
A four run fifth inning would push LA Tech’s lead to 5-1 as Heng started the inning off with a double down the left field line. Rogers was able to reach on a fielding error by the UNC first baseman that gave Heng enough time to score from second.
Marchant picked up her second hit of the afternoon on a single and advanced to second on the throw, allowing Rogers to get in scoring position. Claire Raleypicked up an RBI on a ground out to third, scoring Rogers. Hammoude launched a two-run blast over the right centerfield fence to make it 5-0.
The Bears plated two runs in the fifth on a Sabrina Javorsky double, which was set up by a single up the middle from Katie Walling to start the frame. UNC made a pitching change heading into the bottom of the inning which did not affect the Bulldogs who would post four more runs.
Alexis Gilio singled to start the inning, followed by a Heng walk. Rogers was able to reach base on an error by third baseman which allowed Gilio to come around to score, making it 6-2.
Snyder picked up her first career hit on a double to left center that scored Rogers and Heng, pushing the Bulldog lead to 8-2. Allie Furr pinch ran for Snyder and came around to score the ninth run of the evening after Marchant reached base on a fielding error by the shortstop.
UNC was able to plate two more runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run double, but it proved to be not enough as LA Tech held on for the 9-4 victory.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Josh Taylor
On the season opener…
“It’s a really good start to the season. We knew we had to come down here and play well. I think Allie set the tone early on the defensive side, which allowed our offense to make adjustments from bat-to-bat. I knew we had the bases loaded in the first inning with one out and we couldn’t get it done. I was really proud of the hitters because they were able to make adjustments as we went and then we were able to explode for nine runs, giving Allie a little bit of room. She is going to get better and better in those late innings as we go. We’re excited about it and happy with the offense, and really happy with the production and the adjustments we made from bat one to bat three and four.”
NOTABLES
-LA Tech improves to 36-8-1 in season openers, marking the seventh consecutive season opening win.
-Head coach Josh Taylor is now 4-0 in season openers at LA Tech.
-The Bulldogs moved to 2-4 all-time in games played in Mexico.
-Eight of nine starters recorded a hit.
–Alexis Gilio improved her hit-streak to eight games.
–Alannah Rogers now has a five-game hit-streak.
–Addison Snyder, Reagan Marchant and Elena Heng all recorded their first career hits.
–Gracie Flores scored her first career run.
–Allie Floyd pitched her 13th career complete game.
–Nicole Hammoude registered her 8th career home run.
– The Bulldogs only struck out once.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs will be back in action Friday afternoon with two games against ranked opponents. LA Tech will face No. 12 Florida State at 1:00 p.m. followed by a matchup against No. 4 Oklahoma State at 4:00 p.m.