Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Two runs were all Louisiana Tech softball needed as the Bulldogs earned a 2-1 win over UL-Lafayette on Tuesday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
It was a revenge game for LA Tech after falling to ULL 3-0 last Wednesday. The two teams finish the season series 1-1, both earning wins at home. The win moves LA Tech to 24-15 (10-5 CUSA).
The Bulldogs and Ragin’ Cajuns both tallied six hits apiece, but RBI singles from Addison Snyder and KB Briley in the second inning proved to be the difference. Snyder drove in Alexis Gilio, and Briley followed by scoring Snyder.
LA Tech used a stellar outing from Laney Johnson in the circle and a save from Allie Floyd as the two right-handers limited ULL to just one run and no extra base hits. Laney Johnson (4-2) earned the win over tossing 5.0 innings and allowing one run on five hits. She used her defense as she induced 11 groundouts and five fly outs.
Allie Floyd earned her first save of the season after pitching the final two innings. She allowed one hit and struck out one.
“It started with Laney Johnson in the circle,” said head coach Josh Taylor. “She pitched really well. She gave up a run in the first and then zeroes from there. We had a plan and knew if we had a lead going into the sixth, we could use (Allie) Floyd tonight. She came in and shut the door, and that’s the story.”
ULL took an early lead in the bottom of the first as they used two singles to score a run. Maddie Hayden led off the game with a single and advanced to second on a sac bunt. After stealing third, Hayden came around to score on a single from Sam Roe.
After a three-up-three-down bottom of the first for LA Tech, the Bulldogs responded with two runs on three hits to take a game deciding 2-1 lead. After a lead off strikeout, Claire Raley single through the left side, but was replaced at first on a fielder’s choice from Alexis Gilio. Snyder singled to left to score Gilio easily from first.
Alannah Rogers followed with a six-pitch walk, which allowed Snyder to get into scoring position for Briley. Briley singled to center field to score the winning run in Snyder.
“The bottom of our order did a great job tonight,” said Taylor. “If you look at our two runs, they came from the bottom half. KB with the go-ahead (RBI single). And then Addison with the (other RBI). We picked the right time to run there with Gilio on first and two outs. We were running on that pitch.”
ULL threatened with two hits in the third, and again in the fifth as Hayden reached base on a fielding error. Gilio was able to end ULL’s scoring chances in the fifth as she robbed Roe of a two-run home run to center field. Gilio was able to track the ball to the wall and made a leaping catch that she bobbled and secured to take away two runs.
Floyd came on to pitch in the top of the sixth inning and only allowed one single in the inning after striking out the first batter she faced.
