March 30, 2011

Box Score

RUSTON, La. - Clint Ewing was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and Trevor Petersen allowed just one earned run in 5.2 innings of work as Louisiana Tech knocked off Southern Arkansas, 4-2, Wednesday night at J.C. Love Field.

In the bottom of the first, Kyle Roliard had a one-out single and Mark Threlkeld doubled to the gap in right to put two runners in scoring position for Alex Williams who then ripped a two-run double to left center off of SAU starter, Doug Shields. Clint Ewing added to the Tech lead with a sharp hit double down the left field line that scored Williams.

Shields (1-1) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs on four hits - all of which came in the first inning. The right-handed pitcher retired 14 of the last 15 batters that he faced in order.

Trevor Petersen allowed a leadoff walk and a pair of one-out singles in the top of the second but worked out of the jam after forcing Adam Boucher to ground into an inning-ending double play ball.

Southern Arkansas (18-10) again loaded the bases on Petersen in the sixth and picked up a run off of a sacrifice fly from Trevor Rogers. However, the Muleriders would be held to just one run as Petersen fanned Chris Harrison and Mike Jefferson got a ground ball out to end the inning.

Petersen (3-1) walked three and struck out three while allowing one run on five hits in 5.2 innings of work.

Ewing added to the Bulldogs lead as his two-out single to right scored Joey Ford to give Tech a 4-1 lead.

In the eighth, Jefferson fanned the leadoff batter then allowed a double and a walk to put two runners on bases. The southpaw then recorded the second out of the inning as he picked off Jason Dahl at first base for his seventh pickoff of the season.

Caleb Dudley then came into the game in relief and allowed two hits that cut Tech's lead to just two runs. Dudley then worked a flawless ninth to seal the win for the Bulldogs.

Jefferson worked 2.0 innings in relief allowing one run on two hits while striking out three and Dudley worked the final 1.1 innings of the game picking up two strikeouts to earn the save.

Louisiana Tech (13-12) returns to action Saturday night at 6 p.m. as the Bulldogs host LSUS at J.C. Love Field.

Notes: Louisiana Tech improves to 41-13 all-time against Southern Arkansas... The Bulldogs have won the last three meetings between the two programs... Tech owns a 6-1 record against non-Division I foes during the Simoneaux era...The three doubles in the first inning marked the first time that Tech had belted three-plus doubles in an inning since May 21, 2010 against Nevada when Tech had five in the first inning... Joey Ford (6), Kyle Roliard (6), Mark Threlkeld (7) and Clint Ewing (5) all extended hitting streaks while Will Alvis and Austin Hedges saw their hitting streaks come to an end... Threlkeld has made 96 consecutive starts. Bulldogs Stable Muleriders.