UTSA evens series at LA Tech with 4-3 victory in extras

UTSA, 4-3 in Extras

SAN ANTONIO – The No. 22 Louisiana Tech baseball team rallied back late from a 3-1 deficit, but fell, 4-3, in the bottom of the 11th inning to UTSA on a cold and blustery Saturday afternoon from Roadrunner Field.

“With the conditions today, we knew that runs were going to be at a premium,” head coach Lane Burroughs noted. “I thought our guys played hard from the start today. We just made too many mistakes, and when you lose, those mistakes are magnified. I liked the way our guys battled and competed and got back into it.”

LA Tech (23-10, 8-3 C-USA) was outhit 13-7 by the Roadrunners (16-12, 6-4 C-USA) but scrapped and clawed back to tie the game at three in the top of the eighth inning.

Trailing 3-1, heading into the eighth, Tech had yet to put together any substantial offense against UTSA starter Steven Dressler. However, Tech second baseman Taylor Young led the frame off with a walk, bringing up first baseman Cole Warken, who had entered the game to play first in the sixth inning. Warken wasted no time in singling off the fellow Canadian on the mound, placing two runners aboard with nobody out.

That chased Dressler, and the Roadrunners would be forced to go to the pen in right-hander Derek Craft. Both runners moved into scoring position on a sac bunt from Hunter Wells, and then with one out, Dalton Skelton struck out swinging. With two outs and the tying runs on board, Mason Mallard came up clutch just as he had done in last night’s win, singling through the right side, scoring both Young and Warken, and tying the game at three.

Neither team was able to push anything across until the bottom of the 11th when Ben Brookover singled into left with the bases loaded, scoring the winning run in walk-off fashion.

The Bulldogs are now 1-4 in extra-inning contests this season.

Tech starter Logan Robbins picked up a no decision, throwing 5.2 innings while allowing 10 hits and three runs (all earned).

The Bulldogs saw more positives from its bullpen on Saturday, as Tyler Follis, Quinton Logan and Kyle Griffen gave the Tech offense ample opportunities to take a late lead.

Logan entered in the seventh inning and tossed two scoreless frames allowing just one hit and striking out two in his first outing since he pitched a third of an inning against UAB back on March 23.

“I thought Quinton was outstanding today,” Burroughs added. “We’ve got to have him down the stretch, as we navigate toward the end of the year. He’s been struggling with his confidence a little bit, but I thought he was lights out today.”

Griffen gave the Bulldogs 2.1 innings, before running into trouble in the 11th, allowing the winning run, his first run allowed this season.

The Tech defense was strong throughout the contest, turning three double plays, and did not commit an error in the 11-inning contest.

Tech and UTSA meet up for the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs are slated to throw left-hander Logan Bailey, while UTSA will counter with right-hander Chance Kirby. The game will be broadcast on SportsTalk 97.7 FM with Dave Nitz on the call, and can be streamed live on CUSA.tv (subscription required).