Techsters Fall in heartbreaker to Mississippi State

LA Tech Falls in Heartbreaker to State

STARKVILLE, Miss. – After scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead, Louisiana Tech found itself three outs away from its second win over an SEC foe this season.

However, Mississippi State (18-5) used five hits in the bottom of the seventh inning, including Kat Moore’s two-run walk-off single, to defeat Louisiana Tech (16-7) 5-4 at Nusz Park Sunday afternoon.

With the bases loaded and one out and Mississippi State trailing 4-3, Moore lined a 1-2 pitch into left centerfield as two Bulldogs crossed home plate for the win.

Tech won the first game of the day, defeating Mississippi Valley State 6-3.

The Lady Techsters will return to action Wednesday when they host Lamar at 5 p.m.

Game 1: LA Tech 6, Mississippi Valley State 3

Louisiana Tech scored 5 runs on five hits in the top of the fourth inning to lift it to a 6-3 come-from-behind win over Mississippi Valley State in the first game of the day.

MVSU took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against freshman Hannah Koenig as the Devilettes recorded three straight hits with one out. Jade Arroyo and Jodecia Afoa-Tuia each drove home runs in the frame.

Tech cut the two-run deficit in half in the top of the third inning. AJ Williams walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and then stole third base. The freshman scored on a wild pitch to make the score 2-1.

After a rough first inning, Koenig settled down and allowed just two hits over the next four innings of action to keep the Lady Techster close.

Tech erupted in the top of the fourth inning. Lindsay Edwards and Sloane Stewartson each singled and moved to second and third on a wild pitch. Marilyn Rizzato scored Edwards on a single to left field tying the game at 2-2.

After Mary Terral walked to load the bases, Williams laid down a perfect bunt single to score pinch runner Kailey Anderson from third and give Tech a 3-2 led. Berkley Calapp singled to left field to drive in a run and Jazlyn Crowder hit a sacrifice fly to right field that plated two more runs.

The score stayed at 6-2 until the bottom of the sixth inning. MVSU’s Deshonte Smith homered off of Koenig to lead the inning off, prompting a pitching change.

Preslee Gallaway entered the game and retired all six batters she faced to pick up her fourth save of the season.

Koenig (3-1) got the win, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out two batters.

Game 2: Mississippi State 5, LA Tech 4

Louisiana Tech trailed 2-1 entering the top of the seventh inning before rallying to take the lead.

Bayli Simon singled to start the inning before Bulldog reliever Alyssa Loza retired the next two batters. With Tech down to its final out, the Lady Techsters rallied. Morgan Turkoly drew a walk to move Simon to second and then Sloane Stewartson singled up the middle, scoring Simon and tying the game at 2-2.

With runners on second and third and two outs, Zoe Hicks laced a singled down the third base line, plating two more runs and giving the Lady Techsters a 4-2 lead.

However, Tech was unable to close the door in the bottom of the frame. Mississippi State recorded three straight singles against Tech reliever Preslee Gallaway to cut the deficit to 4-3. After an infield single loaded the bases, Gallaway struck out Bulldogs slugger Fa Leilua for the first out.

Kat Moore than came to the plate and fell behind in the count 1-2 before lacing the next pitch to left centerfield for the game-winning hit.

In a game that started out as a pitcher’s duel between Tech’s Krystal De La Cruz and MSU’s Grace Fagan, the Lady Techsters jumped out on top in the fourth inning. Lindsey Edwards hit her second home run of the season, a solo shot over the left field wall for a 1-0 lead.

State responded in the bottom of the fifth inning. De La Cruz hit the first batter to start the frame and then one out later, Tech committed an infield error to put runners on the corners. Emily Heimberger then doubled off the top of the left centerfield wall to tie the game at 1-1.

Jenny Chapman came on in relief for De La Cruz and threw a wild pitch that allowed a second run to score. Tech got out of more trouble when Hicks made a over the shoulder catch in foul territory and then threw a strike home to double the run trying to tag from third.

De La Cruz (ND) allowed two runs – one earned – on two hits and one walk with three hit batters in 4.1 innings of work.

Gallaway (6-4) took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in 1.1 innings of action.