RUSTON, La.- Another late-game rally from Louisiana Tech helped pull out a victory over Middle Tennessee. Louisiana Tech (25-8) picked a 6-3 on Saturday afternoon against Middle Tennessee (25-8) in J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
Tech jumped to an early 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Ethan Bates earned another RBI on Saturday, following a single to right field that brought home Kasten Furr at third. Later, Middle Tennessee tied the game in the second inning after Cale Vinson singled up the middle, sending Trace Phillips home and turning the game to 1-1. The Blue Raiders extended their lead in the fourth, thanks to a SAC RBI bunt from Vinson that sent Brett Vondolhen to cross home plate, making it 2-1.
Then, Tech heated up in the sixth inning following a three-run moonshot from Will Safford. Safford (1-for-3, 3 RBI, HR, BB) sent a ball into the Kennel and earned his fourth home run this season. Meanwhile, Tech earned an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning after Grant Comeaux brought a run in with an SAC Fly RBI, leading Bates to score a run.
In the eighth inning, Middle Tennessee would load the bases after three walks from Sam Brodersen, however, Bates called to the mound to relief pitch for the Bulldogs. The Hot Springs, Arkansas native escaped the inning, giving up one run following an HBP. Cole McConnell secured a run when he singled through the right side of the field, bringing Furr home and extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 6-3.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Lane Burroughs
” I hope our fans, myself included, see what is happening you don’t see this very often from anybody in the country. What Ethan is doing is unbelievable, and it’s a once-in-a-generation thing. You don’t walk into a game with bases loaded and nobody out, but it was like Bates was taking a stroll through the park. I am proud that Will Safford came through when the team needed it the most, and I thought the game turned around after Cole McConnell’s at-bat. McConnell had a long at-bat in the fifth inning and got their pitcher’s pitch count up, and we ended up hitting the three-run homer.”
UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech is looking for the series sweep tomorrow against Middle Tennessee after locking in the series win on Saturday. The first pitch for Sunday’s game is at 10 AM on ESPN+ in J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
TICKET INFO.
During the 2024 season, a limited number of single-game reserved chairback tickets may be available on a game-by-game basis. Any opportunities for unclaimed single-game tickets will go on sale, if available, no earlier than 24 hours before the scheduled first pitch.
Single-game standing-room only and right-field berm tickets are also available on a game-by-game basis for $15.
To purchase, fans can stop by the LA Tech Baseball Box Office at J.C. Love Field, open two hours before the first pitch, or visit LATechSports.com/Tickets.
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