Boxscore

RUSTON, La. ? The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs led most of the way against No. 4 Arkansas until some fireworks in the eighth inning led to a 6-2 loss.

Ahead 2-1 in the top of the eighth, Arkansas catcher Brian Walker hit a three-run home run to claim the lead. After a few exchanged words, both benches cleared. Tech starting pitcher Dylan Moseley was ejected from the game after throwing behind the next batter, and the dugouts emptied again.

Prior to the eighth inning Moseley (0-1) had given up just one hit and retired 10 consecutive batters twice. In the eighth, he gave up back-to-back singles before the home run. Tech coach Wade Simoneaux said Moseley had a solid outing and performed well in his first start of 2007.

?Moseley pitched extremely well,? Simoneaux said. ?He?d thrown a competitive seven innings, and his pitch count was down where he probably could have finished the game.?

The loss gave the series win to the Razorbacks (2-1), but Simoneaux said this early in the season to compete so well against one of the top teams in the country is more important to him and the Bulldogs (1-2).

?We beat them 13-12 on the weekend,? Simoneaux said of the total runs scored in three games. ?That?s the No. 4-ranked team in the country. If somebody had told me we were going to beat them 13-12, I?d have taken that any day. I could care less what our record is right now. We know we?ve got a good ball club.?

Tech fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but jumped back with runs in the second and third innings to take the lead. Then, both pitching staffs held the lineups scoreless for four innings.

Drew Bunting and Nick Grunenwald both hit 2-for-3 with a walk for Tech. Brandon Hudson hit 1-for-4 with an RBI. Arkansas left fielder Jake Dugger led the way for the Razorbacks hitting 2-for-4 with two runs. Walker hit 1-for-4 with his three-run shot.

Earning the win in relief for Arkansas was Chris Rhoads. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up no hits. Jess Todd got recorded his second save of the series with two innings and two hits. Moseley took the loss throwing 7-plus innings with four hits, four runs, three earned.

Tech tried to put together a rally in the bottom of the ninth when Grunenwald and Derek Shaw hit back-to-back singles with one out. Courtney Jones, the hero from Game 2, struck out swinging pinch hitting, and Adam Cobb popped out to deep left-center field to end the game.

Simoneaux said he was extremely proud of his team and pitching staff for their combined efforts in the series against Arkansas. It was a great way to start the season against a high-quality opponent. He also said he was proud of the fans for their turnout.

Sunday?s attendance of 2,318 ranks sixth all-time at Tech. Combined with Friday?s second-best attendance and Saturday?s No. 4 attendance record, Tech fans set a three-game series record for attendance with 8,548.

?We had outstanding attendance,? Simoneaux said. ?Our guys have earned this fan support, and our crowd is going to make us a much better ball club.?

Tech travels to take on UT-Arlington next weekend in a three-game stint before returning home to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Jackson State in mid-week games at J.C. Love Field.