March 25, 2011

Box Score

RUSTON, La. - Mike McCarthy went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and five RBI and Jonathan Sa quieted the Bulldogs' bats over 5.1 innings of shutout relief work as UTPA dropped Louisiana Tech, 10-8, in the series opener Friday night at J.C. Love Field.

After Trevor Petersen retired the first three batters to start the game, the Bulldogs responded with three runs in the bottom of the first as Alex Williams belted a two-run double down the right field line and Clint Ewing drove him in with a sacrifice fly.

However, the UTPA offense exploded over the next two innings scoring seven runs on seven hits, highlighted by a four-run third inning in which McCarthy notched his first home run of the season.

Petersen was charged with five runs on five hits after allowing four walks in just 2.0 innings of work.

The Bulldogs managed to score a pair of runs in the bottom of the third off of UTPA starter, Jonathan Delgado, as Will Alvis tallied an infield single to third that scored both Mark Threlkeld and Ewing.

In the fourth, Tech reclaimed the lead as Williams picked up an RBI single and Justin Gordey ripped a two-out single up the middle that drove in two runs. Jonathan Sa entered the game in relief for the Broncs and stranded two Bulldogs on base to end the scoring threat.

Ben Carlisle (1-2) allowed back-to-back singles to lead off the fifth and the Broncs picked up two runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single down the left field line off of Mike LeBreton.

Carlisle was charged with his second loss of the season after allowing four runs on four hits in 2.0 innings of work.

With a one-run lead, UTPA added an unearned run in the seventh before Dan Breazeale retired the last nine batters that he faced allowing just one hit in 3.0 innings of relief work.

The Bulldogs threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Tech loaded the bases on Sa, however, the right-handed pitcher struck out Williams to end the threat. Despite allowing 13 hits on the evening, UTPA pitchers stranded 13 Bulldogs on base while only four Broncs were left on base.

Sa (2-0) picked up the win as he worked the last 5.1 innings of the game, shutting down Tech as he allowed just four hits while striking out five and walking one.

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against UTPA. Game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. at J.C. Love Field with game two following shortly thereafter.

Notes: Louisiana Tech is now 34-16 all-time against UTPA... The Broncs have won the last two meetings between the two schools... The Bulldogs have lost 13-straight games against teams from the state of Texas dating back to last season... Tech has stranded 13 runners on base in back-to-back games... Tech is now 1-5 on the season when outhitting their opponents... Tech is now 2-9 on the season when allowing a big inning (four-plus runs)...The 2.0 innings of work marked the shortest start in Trevor Petersen's career... Joey Ford tallied his 11th multi-hit performance of the season and his third in as many games... Alex Williams tied his career-high with three RBI...Mark Threlkeld has made 93 consecutive starts... Ford (3), Roliard (3), Threlkeld (4) and Ewing (3) all extended hitting streaks.