MONROE, La. – Louisiana Tech scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning and held off ULM threats in each of the final three innings for a 3-2 victory in the season opener for both squads Thursday night at the Best On The Bayou Classic at the Ouachita Sportsplex.
 
LA Tech's Caroline Easom opened the scoring in the top of the first with a solo home run to center to put the Techsters up 1-0.
 
ULM responded in the second inning. Andie Edwards led off the inning with a single followed by a stolen base to get into scoring position. Charlie Names drew a one-out walk to add some pressure to Tech's defense. Edwards attempted to steal third when a throwing error allowed Edwards and Names to score, putting ULM on top 2-1.
 
A two-out walk and error put LA Tech in business in the top of the third. With two runners in scoring position, ULM pitcher Adrianna Chavarria froze Tech's Amanda Gonzalez for a strikeout to get out of the jam with the lead intact.
 
LA Tech rallied back in the fifth. After freshman pitcher Gianni Hulett, on in relief of Chavarria, picked up her first collegiate strikeout, Tech's Maddie Green connected for a two-out, 2-RBI single to give the Techsters the 3-2 advantage.
 
ULM had chances in each of the last three innings to try and tie or take the lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Jayden Mount led off with a single and moved to second when Alysia Anderson bunted for a single to third base. However, Tech's Emma Hutchinson settled in and struck out the next three Warhawks to escape the inning.
 
In the sixth, Edwards picked up a leadoff walk and moved around to third base off Jacelyn Buck's sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch. However, another strikeout ended the scoring threat.
 
Down to their final out in the seventh inning, Korie Kreps earned a walk. Kennedy page followed with a single and Madison Blount walked to load the bases. However, Hutchinson closed out the game with another strikeout as Tech held on for the 3-2 win.
 
Chavarria suffered the loss in the circle, giving up three runs on four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. Six different Warhawks earned a hit, with Kreps collecting three walks.
 
ULM continues the Best On The Bayou Classic on Friday with a 2 p.m. match-up against Jacksonville State. A link to live stats is available on the softball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com.