Louisiana Tech softball defeated Sam Houston 6-3 on April 19 to avoid a series sweep at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The win brings LA Tech’s overall record to an even 23-23 and a Conference USA mark of 9-12.
The result is significant for LA Tech, as it helps the team regain momentum after recent losses and keeps them competitive in conference play.
The Bulldogs outpaced the Bearkats with eight hits, including four doubles, a triple, and a home run. Jina Baffuto and Alannah Rogers each had two hits, while Baffuto and Bradi Gallaway led with three runs batted in apiece. Ruby Fidge earned her third win of the season by pitching three innings in relief, allowing one run on three hits. Allie Floyd started for LA Tech, giving up one run over three innings before Bryannah Campos closed out the game.
Sam Houston took an early lead with Veronica Harrison’s solo home run in the first inning, but LA Tech responded immediately and maintained control for the rest of the game. Key moments included Gallaway’s home run in the fourth inning that gave LA Tech a decisive lead and Baffuto’s two doubles that drove in crucial runs late in the game.
Head coach Josh Taylor said after the game: “I saw just that [Timely hitting, great defense and great pitching]. I saw extra base hits as well. Jina [Baffuto] having two doubles…Bradi’s [Gallaway] home run separates us there in the fourth inning and those are big moments… I thought Ruby Fidge was incredible today… Proud of our offense… It’s nice to win on a Sunday, and I’m proud of our team and how they continue to fight… they’re continuing to fight. They’re going to continue to do that the rest of the season, and we’ll see how it goes”.
With this victory, Taylor moves to 158 wins as head coach at LA Tech. The program now leads its all-time series against Sam Houston by five games (22-17). Notable individual achievements include Gracie Flores extending her hitting streak to twelve games; Gallaway setting an LA Tech single-season freshman home run record with her eleventh homer; Rogers reaching her hundredth career hit; Baffuto earning her third multi-RBI game this year; and Fidge collecting her third pitching win.
Looking ahead, Louisiana Tech will travel next weekend for a three-game Conference USA series against Liberty starting Friday.
