LA Tech earns bounce back win over Northwestern State

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech is back in the win column after a Friday night victory over Northwestern State, 11-9.

Northwestern State (5-13) struck first on the scoreboard after a Daniel Burroway two-RBI double, scoring Samuel Stephensen and Reese Lipoma in the top of the first inning. Tech’s Senior Ethan Bates (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HR) with a three-run home run put Tech out in front in the bottom of the first.

Louisiana Tech (14-5) stayed hot going into the second inning, scoring five runs. The Tech scoring started after Kasten Furr picked up an RBI with a single to center field. A Cole McConnell double to right field drove in Logan McLeod, which grew Tech’s lead to 5-2. After doubling down the left line and scoring two runs, Dalton Davis (3-for-5, 2 RBI, 1 2B) extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 7-2. Louisiana Tech scored one more run from a throwing error by Northwestern State’s shortstop, making it an 8-2 ballgame.

The Demons clawed their back in the game after a pair of RBI singles from Balin Valentine and Reese Lipoma in the top of the fourth, making the game 8-5. Senior Cole McConnell earned his first RBI of the night from SAC Fly to center, which scored Grant Comeaux, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 9-5. However, in the top of the sixth, Northwestern State notched in a run following a single from Rocco Gump. Meanwhile, in the next at-bat, the Demons cashed in three runs thanks to a Bo Willis home run to left field and made it a tie ballgame in the sixth inning.

Tech escaped the sixth inning with two runs after Senior Michael Ballard brought home Adarius Myers and Ethan Bates following his single up the middle, making it an 11-9 game. Sam Brodersen gave up two hits on the night and struck out six batters also. Tech’s Grant Hubka, with solid relief work, had two strikeouts with one walk and one hit. Bates earned his fourth save this season after coming in the top of the eighth inning for relief.

UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will look to continue its success against Northwestern State on Saturday. The first pitch for Saturday’s game will be at 2 PM at 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.