Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
MONROE, La. – The Josh Taylor-era of Louisiana Tech softball opens Friday when the Lady Techsters travel down I-20 to participate in the Best of the Bayou hosted by ULM at the Ouachita Sports Complex.
Tech plays five games in three days, including match-ups against Morehead State (Friday at 12:30 p.m.), SIU-Edwardsville (Friday at 3 p.m.), Stephen F. Austin (Saturday at 3 p.m.), Southern (Sunday at 11:15 a.m.) and Mississippi Valley State (Sunday at 1:30 p.m.).
Tickets are $10 per day or $25 for an all-tournament pass. Tickets can only be purchased at the gate of the Ouachita Sports Complex day of games.
Taylor said he is anxious to see his team take their preparation onto the field against some outside competition this weekend.
“Our strength is going to come in our willingness to compete. I think this is a very competitive group, and I think they have learned a lot since we took the field in September,” said Taylor, who came to Tech in June from the University of Nevada. “I think the things they have learned has created a more competitive environment. I think their ability to overcome adversity will be a strength. Their mental toughness.”
Unfortunately, that mental toughness and ability to overcome adversity will be tested early as the Techsters have already lost KB Briley (shoulder) and Brook Melnychuk (knee) for the season with injuries.
However, the excitement of the 2022 campaign has the group eager to take the field this weekend.
“I think this weekend is going to be very exciting for this team, we have worked so hard all fall to get to where we are,” said senior Audrey Pickett. “I think we are going to be successful this season because we are loaded in every position. It’s going to be a very exciting season for us for sure.”
“I am super excited to play this weekend,” said senior outfielder Kara Goff. “Our team and staff have worked very hard to be prepared this season. I have seen everyone on our team improve and work hard during the off season.
“t makes this season even more exciting because we finally get to show off how much we have grown as a team and with a new staff. I am very proud of my team already, and I can’t wait to see everything we accomplish this season.”
The Lady Techsters are coming off a 22-30 season in 2021 in which the team qualified for the Conference USA Tournament in Bowling Green. The Techsters had plenty of near misses against some top opponents last year, and the group feels its ready to take a step or two forward this year.
“We are super excited for opening weekend,” said senior outfielder Madie Green. “We have come a long way from the fall to now, we have learned so much from our coaching staff and shown a lot more improvement. As long as we come out confident & competitive, it will be a great start for us! For some of us, it’s our last season of playing at this level so we have high hopes that this year will be a fun one.”
There will no live video or audio for any of the games this weekend. Fans can follow the action through live stats on LATechSports.com.
Season tickets for the 2022 home schedule featuring 23 games at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field are on sale and can be purchased by calling 318-257-3631 or going to LATechSports.com/tickets. The Techsters open the home portion of their schedule Feb. 16 against Northwestern State.
