RUSTON, La. – Senior Kendahl Dunford tossed her eighth complete game of the season and Brittany Phillips recorded two hits in the FIU softball team's 2-0 loss at Louisiana Tech on Sunday afternoon in the finale of the weekend series.
 
Amanda Gonzalez homered for the second straight game with a solo shot in the first to put Louisiana Tech ahead 1-0.
 
The Lady Techsters added the game's only other run on an infield single by Sierra Sacco in the bottom of the fourth that scored Kate Cooper.
 
The Panthers best scoring chance came in the top of the third when Hannah Jansen led off the inning with a single and following a pair of outs, Phillips singled through the right side to give the Panthers runners on first and second.  FIU would come away empty and strand a total of four runners in the loss.
 
Dunford (5-6) went six innings while allowing two runs and five hits.  She struck out four and walked two. 
 
LTU starter Audrey Pickett (11-4) picked up the win with a complete-game victory that saw her limit the Panthers to four hits over seven innings.  She recorded four strikeouts and issued a walk.
 
The loss drops the Panthers record to 15-15 overall and 1-5 in Conference USA action.  Louisiana Tech improves to 18-12 and 3-3 in league play.
 
UP NEXT:  The Panthers (15-15, 1-5) will host No. 2 ranked Florida State on Saturday, March 26 in a doubleheader at FIU Softball Stadium.  First pitch for game one is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
 
Saturday's twinbill vs. the Seminoles be seen on C-USA TV – CLICK HERE TO WATCH
 
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