April 9, 2011

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

RUSTON, La. - Jeb Stefan allowed just two hits and tossed a complete game seven-inning shutout as Tech knocked off New Mexico State, 7-0, in game one of the doubleheader but the Aggies capitalized on three unearned runs and solid relief pitching to take game two of the doubleheader, 7-5, Saturday afternoon at J.C. Love Field.

Game One: Louisiana Tech 7, New Mexico State 0
Austin Hedges reached on a fielding error by the Aggie shortstop and Mark Threlkeld singled up the middle to put two runners on for Tech with just one out in the first inning. Following a strikeout, Kyle Roliard ripped a single to left center that scored Hedges and gave the Bulldogs an early lead.

For Tech starter Jeb Stefan, that was all of the run support that he would need as he was masterful on the mound. Just a year removed from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander allowed just two hits and fanned four batters as he held the nations' top-ranked offensive club in check all afternoon.

Tech put the game out of reach in the third when the Bulldogs mounted a two-out rally and scored four runs on five hits. After back-to-back singles from Alex Williams and Kyle Roliard, senior Joey Ford belted a one-run double to the gap in left that scored Williams. Clint Ewing then singled to right, scoring Roliard and freshman Ryan Gebhardt smacked a two-run single to center to cap the inning against Aggie starter, Trey Ross.

Tech added runs in the fourth and fifth innings with a pair of RBI singles from Threlkeld and Gebhardt.

Ross (5-2) was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs on 11 hits while issuing two walks and striking out two batters in 4.1 innings of work.

With a seven run cushion entering the top of the seventh, Stefan allowed a leadoff walk to Kurt Snowley who was then gunned down at second attempting to steal. Stefan then caught Ryan Clark looking and induced a ground out to short to cap the win for the Bulldogs.

Stefan (4-3) picked up his second complete game of his career and had his longest outing since tossing 7.2 innings at Hawai'i on April 30, 2009. The shutout marked the third of the season for the Bulldogs pitching staff.

Game Two: New Mexico State 7, Louisiana Tech 5
The New Mexico State (24-7, 2-1 WAC) offense struck quickly on Tech starter Mike LeBreton as the Aggies scored three runs on two hits in the top of the first.

Trailing by three runs, the Bulldogs went to work on Riley Bevill as the first five batters in the lineup recorded hits and chased Bevill from the game without tallying an out.

Gordey led off the inning with an infield single to third and advanced to second on a throwing error. Hedges then singled to right field and Threlkeld drove in Gordey with an RBI single down the right field line. Williams then drilled a liner into the gap for a one-run double and Roliard followed that up with a two-run double down the left line that scored both Threlkeld and Williams.

However, with the infield drawn in, Aggie relief pitcher Randy Montoya ended the rally as he induced three-straight ground outs to get out of the jam and limit any further damage.

The Aggies then evened the score with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second and added two more unearned runs in the top of the fifth off of LeBreton to take a 6-4 lead. The Aggies scored another unearned run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly.

LeBreton (1-2) was tagged with his second loss of the season as he allowed six runs, four of which were earned, on six hits in 4.1 innings of work.

Tyler Mack entered the game in the second inning and allowed five hits, five walks and struck out five batters in 7.0 innings of work to pick up the win. Mack stranded seven Bulldogs on base and allowed just one run as a Will Alvis single down the left field line in the eighth cut the deficit to just two runs.

After a pair of defensive gems from Hedges in the top of the ninth, Scott Coffman entered the game in the bottom of the inning and forced Hedges to ground out on a phenomenal play by the Aggies second baseman. After a strikeout, Williams struck out swinging but reached first on the wild pitch to extend the game.

However, it wouldn't be enough as Roliard's attempt at a bunt single came up short and Coffman picked up his sixth save of the season and his second of the series.

Louisiana Tech (16-15, 1-2 WAC) will aim to split the series with the Aggies tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. in the series finale.

Notes: Louisiana Tech is now 10-17 all-time against New Mexico State... Stefan's 7.0 innings of work was the most since he tossed 7.2 innings at Hawai'i on April 30, 2009... The two hits allowed by Stefan marked the fewest that he has given up in a 5.0-plus inning start since he allowed just one hit in 5.0 innings of work against Grambling State in his debut his freshman season... The complete game shutout was the first of his career... The three RBI from Ryan Gebhardt was a career-high and the most since he had two at No. 17 Baylor on March 12, 2011... The two hits from Gebhardt tied a career-high... Joey Ford now has 14 multi-hit games this season... The two double from Roliard in the second game tied a career-high... Roliard has tallied 10 multi-hit games this season... Roliard has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games...Threlkeld has made 102 consecutive starts... Roliard saw his season-long nine game hitting streak come to an end.