Louisiana Tech downs NSU 9-1 – Bossier Press-Tribune

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By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Darrell James

RUSTON — Louisiana Tech used three home runs and a strong start from freshman Laney Johnson to power past Northwestern State 9-1 in five innings on a cold Tuesday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

The win moves LA Tech to 5-5 on the season.

Tech freshman left fielder Elena Heng, a former Airline star, went 2-for-2 with an RBI. It was her third straight game with two hits.

Jina Baffuto, another former Airline standout, made her first start at second base.

True freshman Laney Johnson made her first collegiate start in the circle and pitched a complete game to earn her first collegiate win. The freshman from Stonewall allowed just one run on three hits with no walks. Johnson Induced 10 groundouts and five fly balls as her defense behind her committed zero errors. Johnson faced the minimum number of batters in three of five innings.  

The Bulldogs had four players register two hits apiece in Heng, Alexis Gilio, Alannah Rogers and Kaylee Grealy.

It marked the third two-hit game in a row for Heng and Rogers while it was the second two hit contest in a row for Gilio. Kaylee Grealy recorded her first two hits of the season, while Claire Raley registered her first home run of the season on a solo shot. 

Reagan Marchant also tacked on a home run, which plated three as she and Gilio both recorded three RBI against the Demons.

HOW IT HAPPENED

LA Tech grabbed an early 2-0 lead after the first frame as Alexis Gilio hit her first career home run on a two-run blast to right field that scored Heng. Heng received a leadoff walk to start the inning followed by a steal of second.

The Demons scored their lone run of the afternoon on a leadoff solo shot to left center to cut the lead in half at 2-1.

The Bulldogs responded with a run in the bottom of the third as Heng tripled to start the inning and came around to score on a Gilio double, marking her third RBI of the game.

The Bulldogs exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-2 lead over NSU. Kaylee Grealy tallied her first hit of the season on a leadoff double to left center. Grealy was pinch ran for by Gracie Flores who advanced to third on an Allie Furr sac bunt. Heng singled to center field to drive in Flores to make it 4-1 LA Tech. Gilio got on base after being hit by a pitch, followed by Rogers who connected on a single to center to score Heng to give the Bulldogs a four-run lead.

Marchant took the first pitch she saw over the left field wall which scored Rogers and Gilio to make it 8-3 LA Tech. Raley followed Marchant with a solo blast to dead center making it 9-1 Bulldogs after four innings. Johnson induced two groundouts and a line out to secure the 9-1 complete game win.

NOTABLES

-LA Tech moves to 63-52 all-time against NSU.

-The Bulldogs are .500 on the season.

–Laney Johnson made her first career start in the circle and earned her first career win.

–Alexis Gilio recorded her first career home run.

–Claire Raley hit her first home run of the season.

–Kaylee Grealy made her first start of the season and recorded her first hit of the season.

–Reagan Marchant has a team leading five game hit streak.

–Alexis Gilio has a four-game hit streak.

UP NEXT 

The Bulldogs will be back in action this weekend as they head to Huntsville, Alabama, to play four games in the Rocket City Showcase. LA Tech will face off against No. 20 Auburn on Friday at 1:00 p.m.