RUSTON, La. — Louisiana Tech beat Alcorn State 9-1 Tuesday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The Bulldogs (14-10) took an early lead and maintained control through the game.
Louisiana Tech scored two runs in the first inning. Centerfielder Elena Heng drew a leadoff walk, stole second, then stole home on a double steal with Cali Bennett. Bennett later scored on Reagan Marchant’s sacrifice fly, giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead after one inning.
The Braves (9-11) cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth. Sanai Salvant scored on a groundout by Paris Thompson. The Bulldogs responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, thanks to an RBI double by Alannah Rogers that scored Reese Torres, making it 4-1.
Louisiana Tech extended its lead with three runs in the fifth. Bradi Gallaway doubled to start the inning and scored on a single by Allie Furr. Furr later scored on Aleah Brooks’ single, pushing the lead to 6-1. The Bulldogs added three more runs in the sixth, highlighted by a double from Marchant that drove in two runs and an error that allowed another to score. Reese Torres singled home a pinch runner to cap the scoring.
Marchant finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a double, while Gallaway went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Torres added two hits and an RBI. Furr and Brooks each recorded a hit and an RBI.
Ruby Fidge (2-2) earned the win, tossing three scoreless innings with no hits and one walk. Laney Johnson struck out three in 1.2 innings of relief, and Ryleigh Shull closed out the game. Chiara Olison took the loss for Alcorn, allowing eight hits and six runs over 4.1 innings. Alainah Felton allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning in relief.
Louisiana Tech finished with 11 hits and stole five bases, with Heng swiping two. Salvant reached base three times for Alcorn, drawing two walks and recording the team’s lone hit. The Braves will return home Friday to face Prairie View A&M in a three-game SWAC series, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. at Alcorn Softball Complex in Lorman, Mississippi.
