University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Five-Run Fifth Guides McNeese Past Louisiana Tech
2/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004
Jana Jones went 2-for-3 with a double and a team-high three RBI to lead the Cowgirls (2-5) offensive effort.
Jones' double came in the key fifth inning and cleared the bases increasing McNeese's lead to 7-0.
Sophomore pitcher Jessica Denham lasted 6 2/3 innings scattering nine hits and allowing three runs before being lifted for Corrie Hale in the top of the seventh.
McNeese was cruising along in the seventh with a 7-0 lead before Louisiana Tech (4-4) made things interesting with three runs.
Casey Reiff got the Lady Techsters rally going with a one-out single up the middle that was stopped by MSU shortstop Tonya Edlund. On the next play Amber Miles grounded out to second, advancing Reiff to second.
Jessica Elson singled home La. Tech's first run of the day and then advanced to second on a throwing error by the center fielder.
Back-to-back doubles brought home Tech's next two runs and cut the deficit to 7-3.
After Ashley Aycock was hit by a pitch from Denham, McNeese head coach Scott Eastman opted for Hale in relief.
Hale would issue a walk to Ashley Palma before striking out Aimee Coleman for the final out.
The Cowgirls took the early lead with two runs in the bottom of the second getting RBI singles from Jones and Shayla Cormier.
MSU increased its lead to 7-0 with a five spot in the fifth inning.
Lindsi Allen led off the inning with a walk, one of six issued by La. Tech starter Marla Pinkston.
Nicole Edlund followed with a double into left field to score Allen with the Cowgirls third run of the game.
After a strikeout by Rachael Phillips, Mandi Salter reached on a fielding error by Reiff and Karissa Wappler, who walked before Phillips' strikeout, moved to second.
Nicole Edlund then walked to load the bases. Pinkston then issued a bases loaded walk to Tonya Edlund to increase the lead to 4-0.
After Sara Holt grounded to second, Wappler was forced out a home for the second out.
Jones would then double to center field scoring two more runs. Tech center fielder Amber Miles attempted a diving slide, but the ball went under her allowing one more run to score.
Denham collected the win for McNeese while Pinkston took the loss for the Lady Techsters.
With the win, McNeese State evened its tournament record going into a 2 p.m. matchup with Southland Conference rival Northwestern State.
Louisiana Tech falls to 0-2 in tournament action and wraps up its stay at the Louisiana Classics against host-UL Lafayette at 4:30 p.m.
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
