Feb. 20, 2011

STARKVILLE - Senior Meghan Krieg struck out a season-high 12 and freshman Cassie Krieg recorded a career-high three hits but it wasn't enough as Butler downed Louisiana Tech 5-3 Sunday afternoon in softball action at the Mississippi State Bulldog Round Robin.

With the loss, Tech finished the tournament 1-3 including a pair of one-run losses against Mississippi State and Southern Illinois and today's two-run setback against the Bulldogs of Butler.

Meghan Krieg (1-3) took the loss, allowing five runs - four earned - on six hits while striking out 12 Bulldog batters. Dawson said despite the loss, she was very pleased with the performance of her ace.

"She threw really well," Dawson said. "She threw hard and had good control throughout the game. She had a couple of walks that hurt but she stayed in control. It's been really amazing how she has been hurt by bloop hits early in this year; balls that aren't hit hard but just fall in for extra bases.

"Although things were frustrating at times for her because of some of those bloop hits, she did a good job of continuing to compete and finishing the game. It was good to see."

Tech (3-6) struck first in Sunday's game, plating a single run in the bottom of the second inning to take an early lead.

Senior Heather Doiron recorded a one-out infield single and then advanced to second on a single to centerfield by Cassie Krieg. With two outs, junior catcher Allie Geisler singled up the middle, scoring Doiron as Tech took the 1-0 advantage.

Meghan Krieg cruised through the first two innings, recording five strikeouts. However, in the top of the third after retiring the first two batters, Krieg walked Lauren McNulty and then surrendered a two-run home run to cleanup hitter Erin Falkenberry as Butler took a 2-1 lead.

LA Tech answered in the bottom of the fourth inning as Doiron singled and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Molly Goza. Cassie Krieg then doubled home Doiron to tie the game at 2-2.

"I have this conflicting feeling," Dawson said. "Although we are disappointed in the results of some of these close losses, the kids have really stepped up. We knew going into this year we needed some young players to step up and it's been exciting to see. From Cassie to Heather (Doiron) to Janna (Frandrup) to others, there have been a lot of good positive results.

"We have a lot of the pieces that are coming together. There are other parts of the game we need to tighten up a little bit. We just need to continue to focus on the process and the results will eventually come."

Butler scored twice in the fifth and once in the sixth to push the advantage to 5-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, Tech loaded the bases with one out and plated a single run on a sacrifice fly by Michelle Jones, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Pinch hitter Tricia Van Winkle then grounded out to shortstop to end the threat.

The Lady Techsters had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the seventh as Charday Wilson and Janna Frandrup led the frame off with back-to-back singles. After Meghan Knowles popped out for the first out of the frame, Doiron walked to load the bases.

However, Goza popped up for the second out of the inning and Cassie Krieg flew out to centerfield for the final out.

"Every game was close this weekend and although we came up short in three of them, we always put ourselves in a position at the end to win," Dawson said. "We put runners on and gave ourselves a chance. If we continue to do that, the results will come. It's important that we stay positive. It's a long season and if this is where we are after week No. 2, that's not a bad thing. Our kids are competing."

Cassie Krieg (3 hits, 1 RBI), Doiron (2 hits, 1 run), Frandrup (2 hits), Wilson (2 hits), Geisler (1 hit, 1 RBI) and Jones (1 RBI) led Tech offensively.

The Lady Techsters will host Big 12 foe Baylor Tuesday in a doubleheader in their home opener starting at 2 p.m. at the Lady Techster Softball Complex. The Bears are 9-0 on the season.

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