Wichita State makes Louisiana Tech pay for misses opportunities in series opener

WICHITA, Kan. – The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs left 14 runners on base in a 6-2 road loss to the Wichita State Shockers at Eck Stadium.

The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 10-4 on the season, while the Shockers moved to 11-2. It was Wichita State’s tenth consecutive win.

Jake Hamilton (2-1) earned the win after tossing five innings while allowing two runs. Jonathan Fincher (2-2) was hit with the loss. Beau Billings, Shemar Page, and Bryce Fagan allowed just one earned run in 4.1 innings of relief.

The Shockers opened the scoring in the third inning. Garrett Kocis tripled off the wall in right field and scored when Chris Deal’s pop fly got lost in the sun. Deal advanced to third on a groundout, but Fincher got a swinging strikeout to end the frame.

Tech threatened in the third when Hunter Wells doubled with two outs to put runners on second and third. WSU was able to escape, however, inducing a groundout from Parker Bates to end the inning.

Bates found redemption in the top of the fifth inning with a two-out double down the right field line. It scored Alex Ray from first and evened the game at 1-1.

Wichita State countered with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Cade Clemons kicked off the scoring with a two-run home run and Hunter Gibson chased Fincher with an RBI single to right field.

The Bulldogs appeared to be cutting into the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Manny Garcia smacked a single into center field, scoring Jorge Corona, but the Shockers bounced back with two more runs in the bottom of the frame. A wild pitch brought in the first and an error scored the second.

Tech loaded the bases in the seventh and eighth innings, but were unable to capitalize on either occasion. Aaron Haase struck out three straight batters to escape the eighth unscathed.

Louisiana Tech will have an opportunity to bounce back on Saturday. The ‘Dogs take on the Shockers at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and live audio will be available on the Louisiana Tech Athletics App.