Boxscore

RUSTON, La. ? The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs took the lead early and never looked back against the Arkansas Razorbacks for a 9-2 win Saturday. Tech fans again came out in large numbers to see their Bulldogs win in Tech?s first home televised baseball game.

The crowd of 3,076 ranks fourth all-time at Tech, and helped lift the Bulldogs to the win after the No. 4 Razorbacks were retired 1-2-3 by pitcher Jericho Jones to start the game. Tech came out in the bottom of the first with a single by Adam Cobb. Brandon Hudson drove Cobb in with a single of his own, and senior transfer Courtney Jones brought Hudson in with a double to begin Courtney Jones? breakout party at Tech.

In his first appearance on the field for Tech, the transfer from Grambling State batted 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, four RBIs and two runs. With Tech ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Courtney Jones hit a solo home run to give Tech a bit of a cushion. Then in the seventh ahead 5-2, Jones hit a two-run double to go ahead 7-2.

?Courtney Jones is gamer,? Tech coach Wade Simoneaux said. ?He had three hits, and they were all with two strikes.?

Before the season started, Simoneaux said Courtney Jones was part of a trio at third base that would all see action this year.

Tech (1-1) rallied for five runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batsman in the seventh to open the lead up. Brian Rike had an RBI-single in the inning, and first baseman Albie Goulder drove in two runs with a triple following Courtney Jones? double. Rike also batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs on the night.

Hudson, who came in to relieve Jericho Jones part way into the sixth inning took advantage of the cushion and shined on the mound to earn his first save of the season. Hudson entered the game in a jam with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the sixth.

After a two-run single by Casey Coon to cut the lead to 3-2, Hudson went on lock down and struck out the next four Arkansas batters and retired the next eight.

?Jericho didn?t have a lot on his fastball, but his changeup and curve were very good,? Simoneaux said. ?Hudson was equal to Andrew Alsup last night. His curveball is tough to hit. He deserves to do well.?

Arkansas (1-1) could not put together enough offense to keep up with Tech?s 11 hits. The Razorbacks had eight hits on the day, but left eight runners stranded on base to the Bulldogs? five.

Jericho Jones got the win throwing five innings and allowing four hits and three walks. He struck out six and the two earned runs were credited to him. Hudson got the save in four innings of work with five strikeouts.

The win over the No. 4 Razorbacks marks the first time has defeated a Top 10 team since rallying from behind against then-No. 3 Mississippi State on April 6, 2006.

The two teams will tangle in the series rubber match in Game 3 with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at J.C. Love Field.