Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
The Louisiana Tech Softball team wrapped up its six-game road trip with a thrilling 3-1 win over McNeese at the Cowgirl Diamond on Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs (13-4) used a total team effort to earn the road win as six different players recorded hits, and eight of nine starters reached base in the contest.
“Pitching, defense and timely hitting,” said head coach Josh Taylor. “That is what we talk about all the time and we got all three. We got a great start from Lauren Menzina. Mattison Buster came in in a tough situation and limited the damage to one run. Nicole (Hammoude) coming out in the top of the fifth and hitting the solo home run to tie it got our offense excited and going.
“Alannah Rogers had the big two-run double and there was our timely hitting to get it done. Brook Melnychuk coming in on the backside and shutting the door which was the plan. Things don’t go to plan very often but it certainly did in our favor with how we ran our pitching today.”
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Hammoude stepped to the plate and hit a tape-measure solo home run to center field, tying the game 1-1. Tech put two more base runners on courtesy of Kylie Neel reaching on an error and Katelin Cooper drawing a walk. With one out in the inning, Rogers laced a double off the right-center field wall that scored Cooper and Neel to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead which they would not surrender.
The all-hands-on deck endeavor extended to the pitching circle. Menzina had another quality start, allowing a run and five hits in two innings pitched. Buster (1-0) recorded her first career win by throwing 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, surrendering just two hits and striking out two and Melnychuk was dominant in relief of Buster. Melnychuk earned her first career save of the season by retiring all seven batters faced while striking out two.
Starter Lindsay Davis took the loss for McNeese (12-9), dropping to 2-4 on the year.
The Bulldogs lead the all-time series with McNeese 59-31, including two wins in a three-day span.
Tech opens CUSA action at home this weekend with a three-game series against Sam Houston State Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
