LA Tech completes sweep over UAB

RUSTON, La. – Sierra Sacco reached base four times, scored two runs and made arguably the game-winning play in the top of the first inning as Louisiana Tech defeated UAB 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field to complete the three-game sweep over the Blazers.

With the win, Tech (32-17, 12-6 C-USA) moved into a two-way tie with Marshall for third place in the Conference USA standings, trailing only WKU (13-5) and North Texas (13-5) by one game each with two weekends remaining.

However, Tech needed a huge defensive play in the first from the rookie Sacco in order to win.

Tech starter Audrey Pickett (21-5), who picked up her twenty-first win of the year, found herself in some trouble in the first.

A two-out RBI single by Sierra Frazier gave the Blazers (21-21, 9-8 C-USA) a 1-0 lead. After a single by Tyler Armistead put runners on first and second, UAB first baseman JoJo Readeaux hit a line drive ball to centerfield with the wind blowing out.

However, Sacco chased it down, jumped into the air and reached high to record the out, robbing a three-run home run from the Blazers and keeping the early deficit at 1-0.

Tech tied the game in the bottom of the first on an RBI sacrifice fly to right field by Madie Green, scoring Sacco with the first run for the Lady Techsters.

The Techsters then took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single by Amanda Gonzalez and an RBI single by Caroline Easom.

Pickett settled down and stayed in control for most of the contest. UAB cut the lead to 3-2 with a run-scoring single by Bella Wiggins in the top of the fifth inning.

UAB threatened again in the top of the sixth. With runners on second and third and no outs, Pickett induced three straight ground ball outs to prevent the Blazers from tying or taking the lead in the game.

Pickett retired all three batters she faced in the seventh to seal the win.

After starting the conference season by being swept on the road at Florida Atlantic, Tech has won 12 of its last 15 C-USA games. The Lady Techsters will travel to Middle Tennessee this weekend for a three-game set against the Blue Raiders.