Balanced offense drives Bulldogs in 15-2 win over Marshall

BECKLEY, W. Va. – The Louisiana Tech baseball team capitalized on a season-best 12 walks, and saw 10 different players notch at least one RBI, in a convincing 15-2 series-opening over Marshall on Friday evening from Linda K. Epling Stadium.

“I thought our hitters did a great job evaluating pitches once again,” head coach Lane Burroughs said. “We’ve been doing that for three or four games in a row now, and its showing signs. I thought the ball was coming out of Matt Miller’s hand really well tonight – better than it has in several weeks. His pitch count got up there, but Stiglets was really good coming out of the bullpen tonight.”

Freshman Taylor Young continued to wreak havoc on opposing pitchers, as he reached base in all six of his plate appearances. The West Monroe, Louisiana, product walked three times, was hit by two pitches, and added a single in arguably, Young’s strongest performance as a Bulldog. Young’s three walks kept him in the team lead in that department. His 25 walks coming into Friday’s contest were tied for sixth-most among league leaders.

Tech starter Matt Miller (4-2) gave up just one run in five innings, while walking four and striking out four. The Bulldog ace allowed baserunners in all but one of his five innings, but effectively minimized damage in each, and worked through some tough borderline calls, and earned the victory.

Ben Stiglets went four innings in relief and picked up his first save as a Bulldog. The right-hander was efficient, needing only 60 pitches to close out the contest. Stiglets allowed a run, while scattering four hits and struck out three.

Bulldog catcher Jonathan Parker entered the game in the third inning, after starting catcher Chris Clayton injured his shoulder on a slide to third. Parker stepped up admirably, and drove home a career-best three RBI via a 1-for-2 effort at the plate and a pair of walks.

Tech third baseman Tanner Huddleston went 3-for-6, while scoring four times and walking once. Hunter Wells (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Dalton Skelton (2-for-6, 1 RBI, 1 HR), and Mason Robinson (2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI) joined Huddleston with multiple-hit efforts.

Skelton’s solo home run in the fifth was his eighth blast of the season, still a team-high, after hitting just one home run in 56 games last year.

Shelton Wallace notched his second RBI of the season on a pinch-hit appearance for Parker Bates in the seventh.

Marshall starter Brad O’Connor fell to 3-4 on the season, after making it through just 3.1 innings, while allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and walking four.

As a team, Tech did not commit an error in the field, while Marshall was charged with three miscues.

The Bulldogs and Her return to action tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. CT with Logan Robbins (6-0) making the start for Tech.