Errors costly for LA Tech in home loss to ULM, 9-4

RUSTON, La. – The Louisiana Tech baseball team committed a season-high four errors in a 9-4 defeat to the visiting ULM Warhawks on Tuesday evening from J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

The Bulldogs (14-10) owned a 4-3 lead heading to the eighth inning, but the Warhawks (8-16) capitalized on a pair of Tech miscues in the frame, plating five unearned runs to take an 8-4 lead. The inning began with a foul out, but then Tech reliever Quinton Logan issued a one-out walk. Tech then brought in reliever Braxton Smith, who induced a ground ball to second, that skipped off the glove of Blake Johnson.

With one out, and runners at the corners, pinch hitter Masen Prososki laid down a bunt back to the mound, that Smith was unable to field cleanly, allowing the first run of the frame to score. After a walk loaded the bases, and a wild pitch plated another Warhawk run, leadoff man, Joey Jordan lined a single back up the middle through the drawn-in Tech infield, plating two more runs, extending the ULM lead to 7-3. Bryce Fagan then entered the game for Smith and allowed an RBI double to Trent Tingelstad, before inducing a groundout to end the inning.

The Warhawks would tack on another in the top of the ninth, and would hold the Bulldogs off the board in the final two innings, capturing the 9-4 road win.

Tech starter Kyle Griffen took a tough no decision, tossing 5.2 innings, while allowing two runs on five hits. Griffen struck out one and walked one in his third start of the season.

ULM starter, Cole Martin, pitched just four innings, while allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. Reliever Kolton Childress tossed 2.1 innings, while allowing one earned run and struck out three. Cole Gray pitched final 2.2 innings, for the Warhawks, while picking up his first win of the year. The junior right-hander scattered just three hits and did not allow a run, while striking out three.

Tanner Huddleston led the Bulldogs with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, while also scoring two runs. Leadoff man Taylor Young went 1-for-3 with a walk and a pair of RBI from the top of the lineup. Mason Mallard and Steele Netterville each chipped in one RBI each.

Smith was saddled with the loss, his first of the year. The right-hander allowed four unearned runs, and did not retire a batter in the eighth.

Tech will look to bounce back this weekend in C-USA play, hosting UAB for a three-game set beginning Friday at 6 p.m.