By Luke DeRouen

Sports Writer

In an impressive showing at the Bulldog Round-Robin in Starkville, Miss., the Tech softball team won four games while losing two in the event hosted by Mississippi State.

The Techsters defeated Jackson State and Bradley twice each but failed to overcome Southeastern Conference powerhouse Mississippi State in two games.

"We did really well producing offensively, minus the two games against Mississippi State," head coach Sarah Dawson said.

"For so early in the season, I thought we executed well with some hit and runs; we just hit the ball well. Offensively, we looked good."

Second baseman Jessica Elson and outfielder Amber Miles picked up all-tournament honors after recording ten hits each.

Tech began the tournament in fashion Friday by scoring 17 runs in the first inning against Jackson State en route to a 30-0 victory.

Offensively, the Techsters pounded out 23 hits and witnessed the Jackson State defense commit 12 errors, while Sabra Warner no-hit the Lady Tigers by striking out 11.

Friday evening the Techsters had their first encounter with Mississippi State, losing 6-1.

Senior ace Marla Pinkston struck out eight allowing only one earned run but fell victim to three Techster errors, which led to Mississippi States five additional runs.

Pinkston came back strong Saturday and was accompanied by strong defense in a four-hit shutout against Bradley for a 7-0 victory.

In their second game Saturday, the Techsters disposed of Jackson State for the second time.

Jackson State grabbed an early 1-0 lead that was quickly erased by four consecutive multi-run innings by the Techsters for a 12-4 win.

Warner relieved starter Kristin Rupp who recorded the win after allowing four runs on four hits.

LaRussa was the hero in the first game Saturday with a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning, breaking a 4-4 tie and giving the Techsters a 6-4 victory over Bradley.

Pinkston relieved Kristin Blodgette for her second victory of the season.

With four victories under their belts, the Techsters set the table perfectly for a showdown with host Mississippi State, who beat them Friday night.

However, despite a gem hurled by Pinkston, the Techsters dropped a heartbreaker to Mississippi State 1-0.

"Marla had good command of her pitches this weekend," Dawson said. "She worked ahead in the count and did a good job of getting her infielders some balls they could handle."

Pinkston allowed only one run on eight hits. The one run came on a one-out RBI double by Mississippi State's Jennifer Waterman in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game 1-0.