Louisiana Tech defeated New Mexico State, 3-1, in an 11-inning game on May 7 at Delaware Softball Diamond during the Conference USA Championship Tournament. The win allows LA Tech to advance to the next round and eliminates the Aggies from the competition.
This victory keeps LA Tech’s postseason hopes alive as they move forward to face Western Kentucky. The Bulldogs improved their record to 31-24 after this extended contest.
Bradi Gallaway led Louisiana Tech with three hits, including a double and a run scored. Allie Furr and Gracie Flores each contributed two hits, with Flores also hitting a triple in the third inning. Reagan Marchant added two hits and scored the go-ahead run in the eleventh inning.
Laney Johnson started for LA Tech, pitching four scoreless innings with one strikeout before Bryannah Campos entered in relief. Campos earned the win by throwing seven innings, allowing only one run on two hits while keeping New Mexico State scoreless over six frames. Defensively, Louisiana Tech turned three double plays during the game.
The game’s first runs came late as both teams’ pitchers kept offenses quiet early on. Skye Johnson put New Mexico State ahead with a solo home run in the fifth inning, but Louisiana Tech responded quickly when Rosalie Dufresne grounded out to drive home Gallaway and tie it up in the sixth.
In extra innings, Marchant led off with a single before scoring on Aleah Brooks’ RBI hit after advancing via sacrifice bunt and wild pitch. Furr then added another RBI single to bring Jina Baffuto home for insurance. Campos closed out the bottom of the eleventh by retiring two of three batters after issuing a walk.
Head coach Josh Taylor said after the game: “We showed a ton of grit tonight! Laney [Johnson] gave us an incredible start and Bryannah [Campos] was fantastic. They both allowed our offense to find a way to get them some runs. We were electric on defense all night. [Bradi] Gallaway proved why I believe she is the best short stop in CUSA. I am really proud of our toughness tonight and how we found a way to get it done. We will have to be tough and gritty again tomorrow.”
LA Tech will play Western Kentucky next in an elimination game scheduled for Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
