Robbins’ complete game fuels Tech in 3-1 victory over HBU

RUSTON, La. – Logan Robbins continued the streak of impressive performances set by the Louisiana Tech pitching staff this season, as the left-hander delivered a complete game, allowing just one run in Tech’s 3-1 win over the Houston Baptist Huskies on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd of 1,510 from J.C. Love Field.

With the win, Robbins improved his 2018 record to 3-0, while notching the first complete game for the LA Tech (11-5) pitching staff this season. The Leakesville, Mississippi, native allowed a solo home run in the fourth inning to HBU’s (5-10) designated hitter, Tyler Clark, but allowed just two Husky baserunners the rest of the way. Robbins struck out six, and walked none, while lowering his ERA to 1.48.

“He (Robbins) commanded his fastball well,” head coach Lane Burroughs said. “Both the breaking ball and changeup were working today, and very rarely was he in the stretch. You know that’s a good sign. Coach (Cory) Barton did a great job calling pitches and Logan did a great job executing those pitches. Jonathan Parker did a great job behind the plate. I thought they were both in sync with coach Barton, and just a great outing all around.”

Tech’s starting staff has now combined for an ERA of 0.91, while striking out 99 and walking just 17 over 92.1 innings of work.

HBU starter Matthew McCollough (0-1) was the hard-luck loser, allowing a pair of unearned runs in the fifth inning. The graduate student pitched six innings, allowing six hits while striking out a pair.

Trailing 1-0, the Tech offense capitalized on a crazy fifth inning. The frame began innocently enough after a flyout and a lineout, but with two outs, Hunter Wells reached on an infield single to short. Dalton Skelton then singled on a 2-2 pitch to right center. HBU’s center fielder Jonathan Ducoff attempted to throw behind Skelton, who made a wide turn at first, but the throw was in the turf and got away from Carey Jones at first, allowing Wells to score. Skelton, attempting to take third, slid into the bag, but the throw from McCollough sailed into left field, allowing Skelton to come home on one of the more bizarre plays at J.C. Love Field this season.

“I thought offensively, we put some good swings on the ball,” Burroughs added. “I just told our guys to relax and keep grinding. I know it’s not always pretty, but good teams find a way to win, and we were able to pull out the victory.”

With a 2-1 lead, Robbins shut the Husky offense down the rest of the way, allowing just two baserunners through his final five innings of work.

Tech tacked on an insurance run in the seventh, as Tanner Huddleston came through with an RBI single, scoring Wells, and giving Tech a 3-1 lead.

With his pitch count nearing 100, Robbins strolled out for the ninth. The redshirt junior allowed a one-out single to the HBU leadoff man Anthony Jones, but stranded him there, ending the game with a swinging strikeout of the cleanup man Spencer Halloran.

“I thought our crowd was outstanding today,” Burroughs said. “It was a beautiful day out at the Love Shack. I’d like to thank all our fans for coming out. We had a great crowd and we appreciate them spending the day with us. They were loud, and they pulled our guys through today.”

Tech, who has won six of its last seven contests, will look for its first series sweep of the season, tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.