Tech battles back late, but falls to FIU, 9-7

RUSTON, La. – The Louisiana Tech baseball team rallied back from a six-run deficit, taking an 8-7 lead in the eighth, but FIU tallied three runs in the top of the ninth, to escape with a 9-7 win on Thursday evening from J.C. Love Field.

“They (FIU) do about as good of a job evaluating pitches as any team we’ve seen this year,” head coach Lane Burroughs said. “They’re very good offensively. We had to play a lot of guys, but I have no problem with the way we played tonight. I’m very proud of the way our guys fought back. They showed a lot of grit and determination, down 5-1, but I’m very proud of the way they hung in there and continued to fight.”

Trailing 6-1, the Tech (20-8, 5-2 C-USA) offense had been stymied all evening by FIU (13-14, 4-3 C-USA) right-hander, Andres Nunez. The Bulldog offense had mustered just one run on four hits through the first six innings.

However, in the bottom of the eighth, Tech got things going against reliever Steven Casey. Mason Mallard was hit by a pitch to lead things off, bringing up Parker Bates, who wasted no time in driving his first home run of the season into deep right field.

Trailing now, 6-3, Tech put a pair of runners on after Mason Robinson reached on a throwing error, and Chris Clayton drew a walk. Steele Netterville then entered the game as the tying run, pinch hitting for Taylor Young with one out. The freshman Netterville worked a hitter-friendly 3-1 count, off the new reliever, Chandler Raiden, before looping an RBI-single into right, cutting the FIU lead to 6-4.

Coach Burroughs called on Shelton Wallace and Seth White to pinch run for Clayton and Netterville, respectively. The decision was the correct one, as shortstop Dalton Skelton came up and delivered a game-tying RBI double into right-centerfield.

With the crowd alive and on its feet, Tech third baseman Tanner Huddleston dropped a single into left, scoring Skelton, and giving Tech its first lead of the night.

With the six-run outburst, Tech produced its third six-run frame in its last three contests (all coming in the ninth inning or later).

Holding a 7-6 lead, Braxton Smith entered in relief of Casey Sullivan, to try to close out the game.

Sullivan, who entered in the sixth inning for Matt Miller, was as sharp as he’d been all season, tossing three innings of scoreless baseball, while giving up just two hits and striking out four, and most importantly, keeping Tech within striking distance.

“I’m proud of Casey tonight,” Burroughs added. “He’s a senior who pitched a lot for us last year, and those are the kind of guys I love. He hadn’t been out there in a while, and he gets his opportunity tonight, and gave us a chance to win the ballgame. I’m very proud of him.”

In the top of the ninth, FIU used a pair of doubles, a single, and two walks, to push ahead three runs and surge into the lead at 9-7. Smith (1-1) picked up his first loss of the season, as Tech was unable to rally in the bottom of the inning.

Matt Miller took the no decision as the right-hander went five innings, allowing 10 hits and six runs (all earned). The junior struck out eight, but was unable to record an out in the sixth inning for just the second time in seven starts this year.

FIU’s Will Saxton (1-1) picked up the win in relief, while Christian Santana struck out one en route to his first save of 2018.

Parker Bates paced the offense with two hits and a pair of RBI, while Skelton also drove home two.

Juan Teixeira paced the FIU offense going 3-for-4 with a triple and a home run. The Panthers, who entered Thursday’s contest with the league lead in home runs, struck for three solo shots in the victory.

The two teams return to action tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. from J.C. Love Field. The game can be heard on SportsTalk 97.7 with Dave Nitz on the call.