LA Tech takes 9-4 triumph in 12 innings at UAB

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Louisiana Tech baseball team scored six runs in the top of the 12th, and used a lights-out relief appearance from sophomore Kyle Griffen, to take a 9-4, 12-inning victory over the UAB Blazers from Regions Field on Sunday afternoon. With the triumph, Tech clinched the weekend series, two games to one, and improved to 5-1, while maintaining sole possession of first place in the Conference USA standings.

Tech (19-7, 5-1 C-USA), found itself in its fourth extra-innings affair of the young 2018 season, but utilized a big 12th inning to pull away from UAB (10-12, 3-3 C-USA) for its first triumph in extras this season.

“I’m very proud of our guys for hanging in there,” head coach Lane Burroughs said. “We had a couple of chances early, and couldn’t get it done, which kind of demoralized us a bit, but Kyle Griffen just kept going out there and throwing up zeros. What else can you say about his performance today? He was phenomenal. I’m very proud of the way our guys came out and fought to take a tough road series.”

Sophomore relief pitcher Kyle Griffen (2-0) entered the game with two on and one out in the fifth inning for starter Logan Bailey. Griffen proceeded to give up an RBI-single to Cole Collins, tying the game at three. However, the Tech southpaw would stay in and dominate in relief, tossing a career-high 6.2 innings, striking out five and allowing just two hits. Griffen retired 18 consecutive batters, giving the Tech offense ample time to take a lead.

In the top of the 12th, Tech did just that, finally able to get to the Blazer bullpen. Tech shortstop Dalton Skelton jolted the Bulldog offense to life with a leadoff husting double smoked into right field. Tanner Huddleston was then hit by a pitch, and Mason Mallard drove home Skelton on an RBI single into center, breaking the 3-3 stalemate.

Tech then proceeded to tack on five more runs, ensuring its first extra-innings triumph of the season. Chris Clayton drew a bases-loaded four-pitch walk, giving Tech a 5-3 edge. Then, a passed ball allowed Mallard to score, increasing the Tech lead to three. Freshman Taylor Young then got in the action, and shot an RBI single into left scoring Parker Bates.

The Bulldogs added their final two runs via an RBI-single from Hunter Wells that scored Clayton. Robinson stopped at third initially, but scampered home, after Young drew attention in a rundown between second and third.

When all was said and done, Tech owned a 9-3 lead heading to the bottom of the 12th. Burroughs called on senior right-hander to close out the game in relief of Griffen, and Hasler allowed a run on a pair of hits, but quickly took care of the final three outs, ending the game.

The Tech defense played one of its most impressive games of the season, turning three double plays, which eliminated plenty of Blazer scoring opportunities throughout.

“We talk about dominating the average plays all the time, and turning your ground-ball double plays is part of that,” Burroughs noted. “Those are crushing to the other team, and that’s why they’re so critical. UAB is a tough team to play and coach against, because they do all the little things so well. To come in here and beat them at home is huge.”

Birmingham native, Graham Hackbarth, made the start at first base, and played his best game in a Tech uniform. Hackbarth went 3-for-6 at the plate, while scoring a run, and playing solid defense at first base in front of plenty of friends and family.

Along with Hackbarth, Hunter Wells helped pace the offense, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI, and drawing three walks, while scoring a run.

Tanner Huddleston got Tech on the board in the first inning with a ringing double to the deepest part of the ballpark, scoring Wells, who led the game off with a walk.

Tech starter Logan Bailey picked up the no decision, going 4.1 innings, while allowing three runs on six hits. Bailey battled, despite not having his sharpest stuff, and held the Blazer offense in check.

Eight different Bulldogs scored a run, while the team drew nine walks and struck out just four times.

Tech returns to action this Tuesday in a midweek tilt in Lake Charles, Louisiana, against the McNeese State Cowboys. The Bulldogs took the first meeting this season, 5-1, back on February 20 in Ruston. Tech will then return home next weekend for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Easter-weekend home series against the FIU Panthers.