Eighth inning rally lifts Louisiana Tech past McNeese, 4-3

RUSTON, La. – After three lead changes through the first 48 outs of the ballgame, a two-RBI double from Manny Garcia proved to be the difference for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the eighth, helping Louisiana Tech complete its late-inning comeback to top McNeese State 4-3 on Saturday at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

Facing a 3-2 deficit entering their at-bat in the eighth, the Diamond Dogs (6-3) put their first two runners on base to jumpstart the rally. Right fielder Steele Netterville drew a four-pitch walk to start off the bottom of the eighth before left fielder Philip Matulia attacked the first pitch he saw from McNeese reliever Isaac Duplechain to drive a double to center field.

With runners at second and third, Garcia, who had entered the game in the sixth to pinch hit for previous designated hitter Cole McConnell, drove a ball just in front of the outstretched grasp of the Cowboys’ centerfielder to put the Bulldogs in the lead for good. Reliever Kyle Griffen earned the pitching victory for the ‘Dogs as he made way for right-hander Casey Ouellette to notch the final two outs for Tech in the ninth. Ouellette completed his second save of the season after getting McNeese’s Tre’ Obregon to ground out to second base for the final out.

“It was Manny’s first time not starting all year, and he didn’t mope and didn’t pout, all he did all game was cheer on his teammates and stayed involved in the ballgame,” head coach Lane Burroughs said. “Lo and behold, his at-bat came up with a chance to win the ballgame, and he had a huge hit for us.

“I’m very proud of Manny.”

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, leadoff batter Taylor Young and two-hole slugger Hunter Wells quickly turned an early deficit into a LA Tech lead. Young hit his fourth home run of the season to leadoff the game for the ‘Dogs, becoming the first Bulldog since Jordan Washam in 2017 to tally a leadoff round-tripper for Tech. Wells then broke the 1-1 tie with a long ball of his own to right center, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead after the first.

McNeese State’s Clayton Rasbeary recorded a solo shot in the third to tie the game at 2-2. The Cowboys (5-5) then took the lead later in the inning as Obregon trotted home from third on a double-play ball from LA Tech starter Ryan Jennings.

Left-hander Cade Gibson played a crucial role in Louisiana Tech’s victory, entering the game in the fourth and then delivering four scoreless innings in relief. Gibson had the breaking ball working all afternoon, striking out six Cowboys while allowing just three hits. Gibson, Jennings and Griffen combined to register 12 strikeouts in Saturday’s win.

Wells led the way for the Bulldogs at the plate on Saturday, going 3-for-4 with a home run and a double. Garcia, Young, Matulia and shortstop Alex Ray each recorded a base hit to give the ‘Dogs seven hits on the afternoon.

Centerfielder Parker Bates also rewrote the LA Tech record books on Saturday, moving into first place in career HBPs after being plunked in the first inning by Cowboys’ starter Ty Abraham. Bates’ 34 HBPs overtakes the previous record from former Bulldog Brent Diaz.

LA Tech will go for its second straight home sweep in the new Love Shack at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Right-hander Jarret Whorff will take the mound for the ‘Dogs in the series finale.