Louisiana Tech’s softball team advanced to a 6-1 record this season after splitting its opening games at the Mardi Gras Mambo in Youngsville, Louisiana, on Friday.
In their first game of the day, the Bulldogs defeated New Mexico 4-3 with a walk-off home run by Reagan Marchant in the bottom of the seventh inning. Marchant had two hits and three runs batted in across both games. Elena Heng contributed four hits and three stolen bases on the day, including three hits against Eastern Illinois. Aleah Brooks recorded two hits during the win over New Mexico.
Pitcher Allie Floyd (2-0) secured the victory in game one by throwing five scoreless innings in relief, allowing three hits and striking out five batters.
The opening matchup saw both teams trading runs early before Louisiana Tech managed to tie and eventually take the lead late in the contest. New Mexico scored first in the top of the first inning using a walk, passed ball, sacrifice bunt, and sacrifice fly. Louisiana Tech responded when Heng scored from second base on a single by Marchant.
New Mexico regained a two-run advantage in the second inning, capitalizing on multiple hits and an error. The Bulldogs narrowed the deficit when Alannah Rogers drove in Brooks with a flyout. In the sixth inning, Avery Jefferson replaced Brooks as a pinch runner and scored on a single by Gracie Flores to tie it up. Marchant’s solo home run then sealed Louisiana Tech’s walk-off victory.
Bryannah Campos started for Louisiana Tech and pitched two innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on two hits.
In their second game of the day, Louisiana Tech fell to Eastern Illinois 4-2. The Bulldogs led 2-0 after scoring single runs in both the third and fourth innings but could not hold off EIU’s offense late in the game.
Cali Bennett doubled to lead off LA Tech’s third inning and scored after advancing via bunt single and groundout. Carolina Eidson extended their lead after entering as a pinch runner; she stole second base, advanced on another single, and reached home due to an error.
Eastern Illinois rallied with two runs each in both the fifth and sixth innings. Abi Hatton hit a two-run home run for EIU that proved decisive as LA Tech was unable to recover despite getting runners on base late in their final at-bat.
Ruby Fidge took her first loss of the season for Louisiana Tech after pitching two innings in relief. Laney Johnson started for LA Tech, going five innings while allowing two runs on four hits.
On defense, Elena Heng made her presence felt with her first two outfield assists of this season—both preventing potential scores from EIU baserunners.
Following these games:
– Louisiana Tech now has a 4-3 all-time record against New Mexico and is 4-2 versus Eastern Illinois.
– The Bulldogs are now 8-4 all-time at Mardi Gras Mambo tournaments.
– Aleah Brooks recorded her fourth multi-hit performance this season.
– Elena Heng now has 22 career multi-hit games—including her fifth career game with three or more hits.
– Reagan Marchant hit her 19th career home run while tallying her 14th multi-hit game and 19th multi-RBI effort.
– Allie Floyd struck out five or more batters for the 27th time during her collegiate career.
Louisiana Tech is scheduled to play St. Thomas at 3:00 p.m., followed by SIUE at 5:00 p.m., tomorrow afternoon.
