Softball: Hanson throws two one-hitters as Owls take 2-of-3 versus Louisiana Tech

Team remains in first place in Conference USA after weekend series.

FAU players run out of the dugout after the game winning run crosses the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning on Sunday. Ryan Lynch | Multimedia Editor

Brendan Feeney, Sports Editor
April 3, 2016

Junior pitcher Kylee Hanson led Florida Atlantic softball to two wins in three games over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs this weekend.

Starting the first and last game of the series for the Owls (30-7, 7-2 C-USA), she recorded 18 strikeouts while only allowing one run and two hits in 15 innings of work.

Junior Amanda Wilson and sophomore Tatum Buckley couldn’t duplicate Hanson’s success on the mound in the middle game of the series. Each gave up two earned runs en route to a 5-2 loss.

Louisiana Tech (19-11, 1-5 C-USA) entered the weekend in an unusual position. Due to its conference record, the team sits in last place even though it has the second best overall record among all teams in the conference.

FAU will next visit in-state rival Florida International next weekend. The series starts on Saturday, April 9, at 1 p.m.

Here is a recap of each game:

Game One: LA Tech 0, FAU 6

Kylee Hanson delivers a pitch to the plate during her second start of the weekend. The junior allowed only a run and a hit on Sunday. Ryan Lynch | Multimedia Editor
Kylee Hanson delivers a pitch to the plate during her second start of the weekend. The junior allowed only a run and a hit on Sunday. Ryan Lynch | Multimedia Editor

The Bulldogs couldn’t figure out Hanson in her first start of the weekend, as she allowed only one hit in a complete game shutout.

Louisiana Tech’s sophomore starting pitcher Carolina Sanchez matched Hanson pitch for pitch in the first two innings, before the Owls exploded for five runs in the third inning.

Sophomore catcher Alex Miller singled to left field to lead off the inning. Junior right fielder Delaney Rickey followed Miller, reaching base on an error when she attempted a sacrifice bunt.

Then after a walk by senior center fielder Christina Martinez, Miller scored and captured the Owls’ first lead of the game when senior third baseman Carnesha Thompson reached on a fielder’s choice.

Senior second baseman Melissa Martinez then singled in her sister and Thompson. Martinez scored on another Bulldogs’ error when sophomore shortstop Emily Lochten stole home.

Junior left fielder Sarah Bencivenga scored the Owls’ final run in the sixth inning on a wild pitch.

Game Two: La Tech 5, FAU 2

Anna Cross kisses her team’s luck charm- a fake baby gator in an egg - after hitting a home run in the top of the fourth inning Sunday. The senior rightfielder had Louisiana Tech’s only hit and run of the game. Ryan Lynch | Multimedia Editor
Anna Cross kisses her team’s luck charm- a fake baby gator in an egg – after hitting a home run in the top of the fourth inning Sunday. The senior rightfielder had Louisiana Tech’s only hit and run of the game. Ryan Lynch | Multimedia Editor

Freshman center fielder Morgan Turkoly singled in the Bulldogs first two runs of the game off Wilson in the third inning, only one was earned. They added a third run in the following inning on a groundout.

Buckley answered in the Owls next at bat with a single that scored Lochten. Christina Martinez scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning to cut the deficit down to one run.

Buckley relieved Wilson to start the fifth inning on the mound. After two quick innings, she ran into trouble in the seventh and allowed the Bulldogs to stretch their lead back to three, 5-2.

Game Three: La Tech 1, FAU 2 (8)

Senior outfielder Christina Martinez slides in safe after a sacrifice fly by her twin sister Melissa, scoring the first run of Sunday’s game between the Owls and Louisiana Tech. Ryan Lynch | Multimedia Editor
Senior outfielder Christina Martinez slides in safe after a sacrifice fly by her twin sister Melissa, scoring the first run of Sunday’s game between the Owls and Louisiana Tech. Ryan Lynch | Multimedia Editor

A pitching duel between Hanson and Louisiana Tech’s freshman Preslee Gallaway closed the weekend.

Gallaway allowed one unearned run, but unlike Hanson she was taken out of the game after six innings.

Hanson threw all eight for FAU, allowing one hit — a fourth inning home run to senior right fielder Anna Cross.

Christina Martinez scored the Owls’ first run on a fly ball from her sister. Lochten scored the game winning run in the eighth inning via an error by sophomore shortstop Katie Smith.

Brendan Feeney is the sports editor of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @feeney42.