Softball: LA Tech falls twice to North Alabama

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana Tech struggled offensively Saturday afternoon as the Lady Techsters dropped a pair of games to North Alabama by the scores of 2-0 and 3-2 in eight innings at Jaguar Field.

The Lady Techsters will return to action Sunday with a 1 p.m. single game against Southern.

Game 1

Bre Hernandez and Kara Goff combined to pitch a one-hitter but Louisiana Tech couldn’t get anything going offensively in the 2-0 loss to the Lions.

North Alabama (8-2) scratched for an unearned run in the first inning on a leadoff walk, sac bunt and then passed ball that allowed the runner to score all the way from second base for the 1-0 lead.

With two outs in the second frame, Hernandez issued three straight walks to load the bases and then UNA recorded its only hit of the game – an RBI single to centerfield making it the score 2-0.

Hernandez (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs – one earned – on one hit while walking seven in 3.0 innings of action. Senior Kara Goff came on in relief of Hernandez and was perfect, working the final 4.0 innings without allowing a run, hit or walk.

Tech’s only hit of the game was a single by freshman Caroline Easom in the third inning as the Lady Techsters had only four base runners in the game.

UNA starter Megan Garst (4-1) worked all 7.0 innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out 10.

Game 2

Kara Goff recorded a pair of solo home runs but Louisiana Tech fell 3-2 in eight innings in the second game of the day.

North Alabama took an early 2-0 lead on a two-out, two-run single in the second inning against LA Tech starter Audrey Pickett.

Goff cut the lead in half with a solo home run to left field in the top of the fourth inning and then tied the game at 2-2 with a solo home run to right field in the top of the sixth inning.

Goff was also solid defensively, gunning down a runner at home in the bottom of the third inning and then gunning down a runner at second base for an inning-ending double play in the sixth inning.

Madie Green, Brooke Diaz and Olivia Ellingson each registered hits for Tech.

Pickett took the loss, allowing three runs – two earned – on eight hits and one walk while striking out six in 8.1 innings of work.