Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech softball saw its 2025 season end Friday night after falling to No. 1 seed Liberty 2-1 in 10 innings in game nine of the Conference USA Softball Championship Tournament at the WKU Softball Complex. LA Tech finishes the year at 32-25 (15-12).
The Bulldogs played 18 innings of softball on the day, first defeating the host school and No. 2 seed Western Kentucky 6-4 in eight innings on Friday afternoon. LA Tech’s extra innings win over the Hilltoppers propelled the Bulldogs to a shot to advance to the Championship game in their matchup against No. 1 Liberty. The Bulldogs finished the CUSA Tournament in third place as they went 2-2.
In the win over Western Kentucky, Allie Floyd took the circle in game one just two days after she left WKU Softball Complex on crutches due to a calf strain suffered in game one against New Mexico State. The junior right-hander responded with her longest outing of the season, tossing her 18th complete game and picking up her 22nd win. She pitched all 8.0 innings while giving up four runs on nine hits with five strikeouts.
The Bulldogs outhit the Hilltoppers 14-9, tying their season-high for hits in a game. LA Tech had five players register multi-hit games as Addison Snyder led the way with her first career three-hit game. Alexis Gilio, Reagan Marchant, Alannah Rogers, and Elena Heng all had two hits apiece. Claire Raley and Marchant both drove in two runs, while Snyder and Rogers had one RBI each. Nicole Hammoude drew three walks in the game.
Scoreless through two innings, the Bulldogs struck first in the top of the third as Marchant doubled to left field and came around to score on a single to center from Snyder.
WKU responded with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Hilltoppers used three singles, and a sac fly to score their two runs.
LA Tech took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth as Rogers drew a walk to start the inning and advanced to third on a fielding error sac bunt that allowed Jina Baffuto to reach base safely. Heng recorded a bunt single to load the bases. Alexis Gilio reached on a fielder’s choice as WKU went home for the out. Raley followed with a single through the left side to score Heng and Baffuto, making it 3-2 Bulldogs.
After a scoreless fifth, LA Tech added one run to its lead as Heng singled and came around to score on a Marchant single to left.
WKU tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as they scored two runs on one hit. After back-to-back walks to start the inning, the Hilltoppers used a sac bunt to place runners on second and third. WKU was able to score both runners on a single and a pitch.
LA Tech got two runners on board in the top of the seventh as Snyder and Rogers both singled, but the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize.
Floyd recorded two quick outs to start the bottom of the seventh before the Hilltoppers placed three runners on base with a double, an error, and a walk. With the bases loaded, Fly recorded a line drive out on a ball that was blasted right back at her.
The Bulldogs did not waste any time in extras, scoring two runs in the eighth to make it 6-4 LA Tech. Gilio singled and advanced on a wild pitch to start the frame, and advanced to third on a groundout. Marchant drove in Gilio on a fielding error. Hammoude followed with a walk, followed by a Snyder single to load the bases. Rogers drew a bases loaded walk to make it 6-4.
Floyd worked around a double and a walk in the bottom of the eighth to earn with win.
Fresh off eliminating No. 2 seed WKU, the Bulldogs turned around 30 minutes later and took on No. 1 Liberty in game that decided who went to the CUSA Championship game.
A pitchers dual throughout, senior Alyssa Martin saved her best career performance for her last, as the senior logged her first complete game while setting a new career-high in innings pitched. The Minden native logged 9.1 innings in the circle while holding the Flames to two runs. She allowed 13 hits.
The Bulldogs registered six hits in the loss. Raley and Heng had two apiece, while Gilio and Hammoude both collected one hit.
Scoreless through three, both teams got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning, each scoring one run.
Raley singled to start the frame and advanced to second on a groundout and to third on a Hammoude single. Raley came in to score on a Raley groundout, making it 1-0 LA Tech.
The Flames tied the game in the bottom half as they used two doubles.
The game would remain scoreless through the end of regulation. The Flames threatened in the bottom of the seventh as they placed two on base, but heads-up defense from LA Tech and bad base running from Liberty forced the game into extras.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the top of the eighth with two outs but were unable to push across any runs.
Liberty loaded the bases with two singles and a walk in the bottom of the eighth. With one out on the board, The Flames hit a sharp grounder to second that Baffuto fielded and tossed home to get the lead runner for the inning’s second out. A deep fly ball to Gilio in center would end Liberty’s threat.
With neither team scoring in the ninth, Liberty loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th after LA Tech would not score in the top of the 10th. Rachel Rouple singled to start the bottom of the 10th and advanced to second on a walk. KK Madrey singled through the right side to load the bases for Liberty. A single to right field would score Lilly Heidorn who pinch ran for Roupe.
