Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Tech softball rides hot streak into first

Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Article Image Alt Text

Photo by Darrell James Madie Green launched her 10th home run of the season and Louisiana Tech moved into first place in the C-USA standings with a 6-3 victory over Middle Tennessee.


MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Way back in mid-March when Louisiana Tech opened Conference USA play by being swept on the road at Florida Atlantic, it looked like the rebuilding process for new head coach Josh Taylor and Co. was going to take the normal couple of years.

However, since then, Tech (35-17, 15- 6) has won 15 of its last 18 league games, including Sunday’s 6-3 victory at Middle Tennessee completing the three-game sweep over the Blue Raiders.

With Sunday’s win, Tech finds itself in a two-way tie with North Texas atop the Conference USA standings with one weekend remaining. The Lady Techsters also own the tiebreaker against the Mean Green after taking two out of three on the road in Denton a few weeks ago.

“It’s a credit to these kids,” said Taylor. “It really is. I’ve said it time after time that they have bought in to what we asked of them and the results on the field are just proof of all the hard work they have put in since this fall. I can’t tell you how proud I am of what they have done.

“If you had told me back in the fall that we would be in control of our own destiny with one weekend left of the regular season, it would have been hard to believe. It just usually takes a little longer. Again, that goes back to these players and their attitude and mindset and work ethic. This is why you play the game … to put yourself in this position.”

Tech will host Southern Miss this weekend at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field as part of Senior Weekend with single games Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday’s win over the Blue Raiders took the same shape as the first two victories as Tech got a great performance in the circle and timely hitting throughout the lineup.

Audrey Pickett (23- 5) went the distance, allowing three runs on just four hits and no walks with two strikeouts in the completegame performance. Pickett ranks No. 1 in C-USA and top 10 in the country with the 23 victories.

Offensively, Kylie Neel continued her torrid weekend at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and a triple with one run and one RBI. Madie Green hit her team-leading 10th home run of the season – a solo shot in the top of the seventh – and just missed another one which turned into a sac fly early in the game.

The Lady Techsters scored in five of seven frames.

Tech led 5-0 in the sixth before a solo home run by the Blue Raiders and then held a 6-1 lad with two outs in the seventh before a two-run shot trimmed the Lady Techsters lead down to three runs. However, Pickett closed the door with a ground ball to end the game.

Tech will travel to ULM tonight for a 6 p.m. midweek battle prior to the three-game set against Southern Miss.

Category: