LA Tech snaps ULL’s winning streak in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, La. – A double-digit hitting effort secured Louisiana Tech a victory over No. 19 UL-Lafayette on Wednesday night. Louisiana Tech ended UL-Lafayette’s 16-game win streak, the longest active streak in Division-1 Baseball, by a score of 7-2 on Wednesday night at M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park.

LA Tech (26-9) earned its first win at ULL since 2020, which Tech won by a score of 10-0. The Bulldogs snapped a seven-game road losing streak against ranked opponents.

After two scoreless frames, Tech secured three early runs in the top of the third inning to get the game rolling. Following singles from Cole McConnell and Jorge Corona, Ethan Bates earned Tech’s first run after reaching on a fielder’s choice, sending McConnell home. Next, Michael Ballard earned an RBI, following a single to center field, forcing Bates to cross home plate. The final run came off a Will Safford Sac Fly RBI, which forced Myers home.

Eventually, ULL (24-9) cut into Tech’s lead when Kyle DeBarge homered to left center, making it a 3-1 game. However, Tech’s bats stayed hot in the fourth inning when the Bulldogs added two extra runs to extend their lead. Senior McConnell (4-for-4, RBI, 2B, BB), a perfect night at the plate, singled to left center, driving Kasten Furr home. Then Senior catcher Jorge Corona (3-for-5, RBI) grew the lead to 5-1 after McConnell came to reach home plate.

In the fourth inning, ULL scored its final run when John Taylor tripled to left field, picking up an RBI while making the game 5-2. Eventually, Tech notched their final two runs following a Ballard (3-for-5, 2 RBI) RBI single and a Grant Comeaux RBI single.

Tech pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts on Wednesday night, the most since March 14, 2023, vs. Air Force when they struck out 17 batters. Pitcher Grant Hubka struck out six batters and three walks while giving up one run in 3.0 innings pitched. Luke Nichols came in for an inning and struck three batters while allowing one run. Bulldog pitchers Blake Hooks (1-0), Sam Brodersen, and Ethan Bates combined for six strikeouts and four hits.

QUOTABLES
Tech Head Coach Lane Burroughs
“I’m extremely proud of our guys it was a big win tonight. To come on the road and face a good team that had won 16 in a row, that’s not a fluke. To come into their house and break the streak is a good feeling and could not be more proud of our guys. The offense had 15 hits and kept the pressure on them tonight, while the pitching had a good night. I thought Grant Hubka had a good start. Hooks was unbelievable, and I think he might be the MVP of the game with two strong innings.”

ULL Head Coach Matt Deggs
“They came in and outplayed us tonight. I told (Louisiana Tech coach) Lane (Burroughs) after the game that they have an Omaha-type team if they catch a break or two. They’ve got the arms. They’ve got enough older hitters and they came in and won the fastball tonight.

“They had more strike zone discipline than us. They put the ball in play more when it mattered. We had traffic, we just never could cash in and that’s a credit to them. They pitched us tough.”

UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will be on the road at Arizona on Friday for a three-game series. The first pitch for the game will be at 8 PM CT on ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Baseball, follow us on Twitter (@LATechBSB), Instagram (@LATechBSB), and Facebook (LATechBSB).