LA Tech evens series at No. 10 Arkansas with 12-7 win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Louisiana Tech baseball team faced a 5-1 deficit after the first five innings, but outscored the #10 Arkansas Razorbacks, 11-2 through the final four innings, clinching a 12-7 victory on Saturday afternoon from Baum-Walker Stadium in front of 9,272.

“I think the selection committee sent us a strong message last year to play a good schedule, and that’s what we’ve come up here to do,” head coach Lane Burroughs remarked. “To be able to get out of here with a win and a chance to win the series tomorrow is huge for us. I couldn’t be more proud of this group of young men and the way they fought back today. We got some big, timely hits when we needed them most and just kept grinding.”

The Bulldogs (10-4) teed off for three home runs on the afternoon, while handing the Razorbacks (11-2) their first home loss of the 2019 season and their first home non-conference defeat since March 9, 2018 (Kent State won 10-4).

“You knew today, that no lead was safe with the way the wind was blowing out,” Burroughs added. “We were fortunate to get beneath some baseballs and drive three of them out of here.

Tech found itself in a hole early, as the Arkansas offense struck for a four-run bottom of the fourth. The Bulldogs scored the first run of the game via an RBI groundout from Shelton Wallace in the top half, but the Razorbacks responded on the strength of a solo home run from Zack Plunkett and a three-run inside-the-park home run from Casey Martin.

Both starting pitchers posted zeros through the third and fourth innings before Arkansas tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double from designated hitter Trey Harris.

Trailing now 5-1, the Bulldogs got to Arkansas starter Connor Noland in the top of the sixth. Leadoff man Hunter Wells reached after a throwing error from second baseman Jack Kenley and then Taylor Young singled through the right side.

With two on and nobody out, Mason Mallard began the momentum shift with a three-run blast to center field, his second of the season, slicing the Arkansas lead down to just one at 5-4. Kole Ramage entered the game for Noland and got the first two outs of the inning, but gave up a no-doubt solo home run to Tech third baseman Manny Garcia, tying the game at five, and giving the Bulldogs new life.

In the bottom of the sixth, Arkansas swung back in front off Tech reliever Quinton Logan. The southpaw got the first two outs with no problem, but then allowed a two-out double to Martin, followed by an RBI single to center from Heston Kjerstad, giving the Hogs a 6-5 lead.

Facing another deficit, the Bulldog bats once again had an answer. In the top of the seventh, the top of the order got things churning once again, as Wells led off with a single, and Young was hit by a pitch. With two on and nobody out, Mallard again came through with a timely hit, an infield single, followed by a throwing error, allowing Young to trot home to score.

With the game now even at six, Mallard stole second, placing two in scoring position for junior centerfielder Parker Bates. Bates wasted no time in lofting a fly ball to the deepest part of the ballpark, easily scoring Young from third. Mallard, who was also tagging at second, made a decisive turn around third, and scored behind Young on the aggressive send from third-base coach Travis Creel. Following the rare two-RBI sac fly from Bates, the Bulldogs took a 9-6 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

“How big was Coach (Travis) Creel’s decision to send two runners there on a sac fly?” added Burroughs. “We practice that situation and that was the perfect ball to execute it on. That was huge. Those are momentum turners in a ball game and plays like that tend to break the will of the opposing team.”

The Razorbacks got a run back in the bottom of the seventh, but Tech reliever Braxton Smith, making his first appearance since February 26th, escaped a one-out bases loaded jam, maintaining the 9-7 Tech edge.

Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the eighth before the Bulldogs added some insurance in the top of the ninth. Following a Bates single and a Garcia HBP, senior outfielder Mason Robinson lifted a no-doubt blast deep into the bleachers in left, breaking the Tech lead out to five at 12-7.

Smith worked around a two out walk in the bottom of the ninth, and struck out the side, emphatically preserving his second save of 2019. Smith pitched 2.2 innings, while stymieing the Razorback offense to just one hit. The senior struck out six and walked two.

Tech starter Logan Robbins (1-0) scattered nine hits, while allowing five runs (all earned). The southpaw dealt with base traffic throughout each of his five innings, but kept Tech in the ballgame, while striking out five and walking just one.

Arkansas used eight pitchers as starter Connor Noland picked up the no decision, going 5.0 innings, while allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits, while striking out three and walking one.

Eight Bulldogs scored at least one run, while seven finished with at least one hit. Mallard finished 2-for-5, three-RBI effort, while Parker Bates (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 run), Shelton Wallace (2-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Mason Robinson (2-for-4, 4 RBI, 1 run) joined him with multiple-hit outings.

Under Burroughs, the Bulldogs are now 7-6 against ranked competition, with five of those wins coming against top 10 opponents.

The Bulldogs and Razorbacks will tussle in the rubber game of the weekend series set for Sunday at 1 p.m.