NATCHITOCHES, La. -- Northwestern State scored three early runs and Jason Slanina made it stand up as Louisiana Tech dropped a 4-2 game to the Demons on Wednesday afternoon.
Nick Rath (0-1) took the loss for Tech.
Slanina (2-0) pitched eight innings in the Demon victory and allowed seven hits in his outing.
Nick Rath was the unexpected starter on the mound. Adam Kirkendall was scratched prior to the start of the contest. Kirkendall, Bryan Beck and Lane LaBorde did not travel with the team to NSU but came on their own after completing final exams and did not make it on time. Beck was also scratched from the starting lineup.
Kirkendall replaced Rath on the mound in the third inning.
Kirkendall was on his game once again going five innings in relief of Rath and allowed only one run and striking out eight.
Northwestern State scored three in bottom half of the second inning capped by a two-run home run by Tyler Durham.
Rath pitched two innings and allowed three earned runs on two hits in his first start as a Bulldog.
Eric Gashel led off the eighth with being hit by a pitch and Cullen Simmons followed with a single to left field. Slanina got our of the jam with only one run as Tech scored on a wild pickoff throw with the bases loaded and two outs.
The Bulldogs outhit the Demons but left ten men on base and hit into two double plays.
The ninthwas Tech's best chance with a Craig Montgomery double scoring one run and putting the tying runs in scoring position. Gashel struck out and Simmons ended the game with a long fly out to center field.
Cullen Simmons hit safely in his eighth straight game when a one-out single in the third inning.
John Brandon extended his hitting streak to eight games in the first inning with a single.
Brandon turned his ankle coming around second base after a two out single by Jake Adams. Eric Gashel replaced Brandon in the game at this time.
Tech returns to action this weekend with a three game series with Ole Miss. The Bulldogs and Rebels begin the series on Friday night with a 6:30 p.m. start time.
