Bailey Allen (26) kept hits to a minimum. – Photo by Darrell James
Kacie Kaufman
News Editor | kjk019@latech.edu
Tech’s softball team is making history and is currently 5-1 in conference play. This is the best start to a conference season in the program’s history.
The Lady Techsters defeated the University of Southern Mississippi in a 3-0 series sweep March 18-19 at the Lady Eagles Softball Complex in Hattiesburg.
Head coach Mark Montgomery said the team showed potential over the weekend’s series and stayed consistent through all the games.
“Well, you know, it was a step forward for sure for the program,” he said. “We had looked good on the opening weekend against Charlotte, winning two by run rule, but then kind of not playing well the last game and letting it get away from us.”
Montgomery said the depth of the team’s pitchers was key to the wins this weekend, as well as the team’s general success.
“Well, we have four pitchers, and that’s such a luxury to have,” he said. “And I would say that we are by far the deepest in Conference USA and probably even among the deepest in the nation. And the ability to mix and match and go lefty versus righty, to bring in a kid to go after just one or two batters and then be able to switch to another pitcher — it’s something that most teams aren’t able to do, and I feel like we can, and (we) do it often.”
Montgomery said the defensive team also brought key plays to the weekend.
“As far as on defense, Katie Smith was amazing defensively, a couple of just fantastic plays, and then Ali Galaz had some wonderful defensive plays as well,” he said.
Montgomery said the offensive lineup was back in full force for the series.
“You really saw the power of that lineup, one through nine, and then a couple players coming in and doing significant pinch hits off the bench, so it really is nice having the whole lineup there together,” he said.
Montgomery said although the team showed a great amount of promise, there was room and need for improvement as the season continued.
“That was kind of our goal from day one, was not to be the best in February,” he said. “We wanted to be better in March than we were in February, better in April than we were in March and better in May than we were in April. And if we can continue to grow like that and keep getting better then we will be a tough team for anybody to beat late in the season.”
Montgomery said the women were on the path to a successful season.
“We’re probably not as ranked as high as I think we are capable of, but it’s kind of where are we going to be at at the end of the season that matters, and I feel like we’re still on our right trajectory,” he said.
The Lady Techsters will next take on Mississippi State in Norman, Oklahoma, at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The Lady Techsters will also play Oklahoma at the Hall of Fame Stadium, the home of the College World Series, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.