Softball
The Lady Techsters snapped their five-game losing streak with a Conference USA series sweep over FIU this weekend, defeating the Golden Panthers 3-2 on Friday, 4-2 on Saturday and 2-0 on Sunday.
Tech (18-12, 3-3 C-USA) used some stellar pitching from senior Audrey Pickett, who picked up two wins and a save, and some timely hitting from junior Amanda Gonzalez.
Gonzalez had game-winning home runs on both Saturday and Sunday and the game-changing triple in Friday’s win.
“I was most proud of our defense,” said Tech head coach Josh Taylor. “We didn’t commit an error over the last 19 innings of this series and that was the difference. Audrey pitched lights out all weekend. She was really, really good.
“And Amanda … what a way to respond. I told her (after this game was over) that she was awful Friday in those first three innings (committing three errors), but she responded. She was solid defensively the rest of the series, and came up with so many big hits.”
The Lady Techsters will travel to El Paso for a three-game series against UTEP this weekend.
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Baseball
Louisiana Tech opened up Conference USA action this weekend, taking two out of three on the road against UTSA in San Antonio.
The Bulldogs (14-6, 2-1) used stellar performances from the bull pen to record come-from-behind wins Friday night (6-5) and Saturday (5-4) before dropping a 13-3 decision on Sunday.
“Very fortunate to get out of here with two wins on the series,” said Tech head coach Lane Burroughs. “We did not play well. I don’t remember being run-ruled, so that’s embarrassing. One thing that we have prided ourselves on was playing well on Sunday’s and we have not done that.
“We aren’t getting much out of the middle of our order. We were in advantage counts all weekend and we go big fly balls pull side in the infield. Just getting big. We haven’t looked very tough when it comes to Sunday. Give those guys credit. They came out and I didn’t think they had much energy either, but we kind of let them in the ballgame.”
The Bulldogs will travel to face LSU Tuesday in Baton Rouge at 6:30 p.m. before hosting FIU in a three-game series at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park this weekend.
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Tennis
The Lady Techsters won their program record 14th straight match, defeating West Alabama 4-3 at the Lady Techster Tennis Complex Saturday afternoon.
Tech (16-2) lost the doubles point before fighting back to prevail in four of the six singles matches against the 14th ranked Division II West Alabama squad.
Leonie Schuknecht (6-0, 6-4), Ilana Tetruashvili (6-2, 6-4), Tiffani Nash (6-1, 6-2) and Ana Rodrigues (6-3, 6-1) all prevailed in their singles matches.
The Lady Techsters have now won 12 straight home matches. Tech will host Tyler Junior College and Southern Arkansas on Saturday.
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Golf
Louisiana Tech competes in its third event in as many weeks as the Bulldogs travel to play in the All-American Intercollegiate hosted by Houston at the Golf Club of Houston.
Tech is among a field of 17 teams consisting of Abilene Christian, Arkansas State, Baylor, Florida State, Georgia State, Lamar, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, New Mexico State, North Texas, Rice, Sam Houston State, Texas State, ULM, UTSA and the host Cougars.
Teams will play 36 holes Monday with an 8 a.m., split-tee start off No. 1 and No. 10 with the final 18 holes to begin at 8 a.m., Tuesday in a split-tee start.
Tech will be represented in Houston by Sam and Mac Murphy, James Swash, Lake Juban and Hunter Battles while Blake Blaser will compete as an individual.
