March 28, 2009

Box Score

DALLAS -- Dallas Baptist (15-7) scored nine times and recorded 12 hits as they defeated Louisiana Tech (12-9) 9-4 Saturday afternoon at a once again cold and gusty Patriot Field.

"We are not going to beat a quality team when we walk 10 guys," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "Dallas Baptist only walked one and that was the difference in the game.

"It sounds like it is the same thing over and over, but our young players need to understand that we need to make the opponent hit the ball to score runs. We can't pitch scared. We need to attack hitters. Offensively, I thought a lot of our guys hit the ball hard, but they were right at people."

Once the Bulldogs stepped into the batting cage prior to the start of their game, they realized any ball hit toward the right side of the diamond had an opportunity to leave the ball park.

In the second inning, the Bulldogs used the 35 mph wind gust to right field to their advantage. Mark Threlkeld doubled to right field to move Chris Kersten to third base with no outs. Soon after Clint Ewing stepped into the batter's box, he ripped a three-run home run, his second homer of the season, to right-center field. For the first time in the three-game series, the Bulldogs had an early lead.

Tech starter Jamey Bradshaw pitched well through the first two innings as he limited the Patriots to only one hit, while recording two strikeouts.

Even though the Bulldogs did not score in the third inning, they continued to swing the bat well. After three frames, Tech totaled eight hits.

Austin Knight successfully executed a bunt single to begin the third inning for Dallas Baptist. After Knight's hit and an out, the following three batters drew a walk. Shortstop Ryan Goins' RBI walk put the Patriots first run of the day on the scoreboard. Right fielder Ryan Thompson diminished Tech's early lead when he hit a two-run RBI single. A sacrifice fly and another single totaled two more runs in the inning for Dallas Baptist. At the end of three, Tech trailed 5-3.

Graham Meyers relieved Bradshaw in the fourth inning. The first two batters in the frame drew a walk. With second baseman Travis Meiners at the plate, the Patriots attempted a double steal, but Ewing threw out left fielder Clay Kelly at third base. Dallas Baptist drew two more walks and with the bases loaded and one out, they had their No. 4 and No. 5 hitters coming up to the plate. Meyers was able to strikeout Thompson and he induced a fly out to end the inning.

Knight increased Dallas Baptist's advantage to 6-3 in the fifth inning on an RBI single. Mike Jefferson replaced Meyers with base runners on second and third and one out. Jefferson was able to force a fly out and then he struck out Meiners to conclude the frame.

Head hit a two-run home run to right field to put Dallas Baptist ahead 8-3 in the sixth inning. The Patriots added their second run of the inning and ninth of the day on a sacrifice fly.

Kevin Winn reached base in the seventh by drawing a walk. Devon Dageford recorded his 29th RBI of the season on a double down the left field line to bring in Winn.

Jefferson held Dallas Baptist to a scoreless inning in the seventh. After seven innings, the Bulldogs trailed 9-4.

Neither team was able to manufacture a run in the eighth inning.

Clay Alexander singled to start the ninth inning, however Chris Haney was able to close out the game and preserve the win for Dallas Baptist.

Bradshaw received the loss and is now 0-1 on the season.

Patrick Thomas went 0-for-5 at the plate and thus ended his personal-best hitting streak at 15 games.

Dageford and Threlkeld led Tech with two hits a piece.