Techsters sweep UAB with Sunday win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the third time in as many games, Louisiana Tech used a late-inning rally to down UAB as the Lady Techsters posted a 6-2 victory Sunday afternoon at Mary Bowers Field.

With the victory, Tech (20-7, 3-0) reached the 20-win plateau and opened Conference USA action with a solid road sweep against UAB (9-18, 0-6).

“This was a big weekend for us,” said Tech head coach Mark Montgomery. “You always want to win a series and it is never easy to do on the road. Sweeping three games on the road is even harder. I know UAB’s league record isn’t good but I’m telling you that’s a good hitting team. They are going to win some games and I won’t be surprised if they find a way to overcome a slow start to league play and fight their way into the tournament in May. Jimmy does a great job with them.”

Tech got a solid performance from reigning Conference USA Pitcher of the Year Preslee Gallaway in the circle and some quality relief outings from Jenny Chapman and Krystal De La Cruz while the Lady Techster offense erupted in the late innings once again.

UAB scored single runs in the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead. Blazers starter Emily Kachel was solid in the circle, holding Tech off the scoreboard through the first four innings.

With UAB holding a two-run lead, the Blazers had an opportunity to add to it in the bottom of the fourth inning after back-to-back two-out singles off of Gallaway. Chapman was called upon to face UAB lefty Faith Hegh, who came to the plate with a pair of hits already. Chapman did her job, getting a line out to left field to get out of the jam.

“Jenny is really tough on left-handed hitters, and I felt it was an important out at an important point in the game,” said Montgomery. “A two-run deficit is easier to come back from then three or four runs. Even mentally. Jenny did her job. It was a big out.

“I thought Preslee was solid today for us. She gave up a couple of early runs but really settled in and was solid. She pitched around base runners a few times and got big outs.”

The out proved big. Tech came to the plate in the top of the fifth, having only recorded one hit on the day. That was soon in the rearview mirror.

Marilyn Rizzato walked and Berkley Calapp followed with a line drive single to left field, her second hit of the afternoon. Atienza then walked to load the bases with no outs, forcing UAB to make a pitching change as Claire Blount came on in relief.

Reigning Conference USA Player of the Year Morgan Turkoly drove home the first run with an RBI ground out to second base. Jazlyn Crowder gave Tech its first lead of the game with a line drive, 2-run double down the left field line as Tech took a 3-2 advantage.

Zoe Hicks followed with an RBI single to centerfield as Tech plated four runs in the frame.

Gallaway reentered the game and promptly retired six of the next seven Blazer hitters, holding the Tech lead at 4-2.

For the third straight game, Tech had a productive seventh inning at the plate. Atienza, Turkoly and Crowder all reached on infield singles to start the top of the frame and Hicks walked to force home a run. Lindsay Edwards then scored Turkoly on a ground out to shortstop as the Tech lead increased to 6-2.

De La Cruz entered the game in the seventh for Tech and picked up the final three outs despite a walk and a hit batter.

Chapman (2-0) picked up the win for Tech, despite working just a third of an inning. Gallaway (ND) allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four in 5.2 innings of action. De La Cruz (ND) worked one scoreless inning.

Crowder (2-4, run, 2 RBI), Calapp (2-3, run), Atienza (1-3, run), Turkoly (1-3, 2 runs, 2 SB, RBI), Hicks (1-3, 2 RBI), Edwards (RBI) and Rizzato (run) led Tech offensively.

The Lady Techsters have won 17 of their last 22 Conference USA series. Tech will travel to Natchitoches Wednesday for a 6 p.m. match-up against Northwestern State before returning home to host a pivotal C-USA series against North Texas next weekend.