Final Stats

Box Score: LA Tech 7, Valpo 2

RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech put up three runs in back-to-back innings, including a three-run homer by Bryce Stark, and tacked on an insurance run later in the game to defeat Valparaiso, 7-2, Saturday afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston.

LA Tech's (7-3) victory over Valparaiso (3-7) evened the series at one game apiece heading into Sunday's rubber match, which is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Love Shack.

Braden Bristo pitched a gem of a ball game to earn his second win of the season as the junior right-hander struck out a career-high 11 batters in 5.2 innings on the mound. Bristo allowed two runs on just five hits to move to 2-1 on the season. Nate Harris came on with two outs in the sixth and earned a save after striking out five in the final 3.1 innings of relief work. Harris (2) allowed just two hits against the 12 batters he faced. Bristo and Harris combined to strike out 16 batters in the win, which is a season-high for LA Tech's pitching staff in a single game.

Ryan Fritze (0-2) started for Valpo and was charged with the loss in 4.2 innings after allowing six runs -- all earned -- on nine hits and striking out three. Alex Dirienzo came on in relief in the fifth and gave up one run in 2.1 innings before Chet Joslyn pitched the final inning for the Crusaders and retired the side in order.

The Bulldogs wasted no time jumping out on top of Valparaiso in the second when Sean Ullrich doubled to right-center to lead off the frame followed by an infield single by Chase Lunceford to put two runners on and no outs. Brent Diaz then drove in the first run of the game on an RBI single to center for a 1-0 LA Tech lead. A sacrifice bunt by Stark allowed both Diaz and Lunceford to move into scoring position, which set up Chandler Hall's two-run single on a chopper over the third baseman's head to give the Bulldogs a three-run advantage.

LA Tech began another rally in the third when Cody Daigle and Lunceford both singled to give the Bulldogs two runners on and two outs. That's when Stark came through in a big way with a no-doubt home run toward the pine trees in right field to quickly put the Bulldogs up 6-0 over the Crusaders.

Valpo attempted a comeback in both the fourth and sixth innings on RBI singles, but Bristo and Harris combined to end both threats quickly. LA Tech added its final run of the game in the sixth when Garrett Dodd, who reached base five times on the afternoon, smacked a ball into left for his third double of the series and later scored on an RBI single by Daigle. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to add more with the bases loaded and two outs, but a ground ball ended the inning and stranded three to give Tech a 7-2 lead.

Dodd was a perfect 2-for-2 on the afternoon with three walks and a run scored, while Stark was 1-for-2 with three RBI's on his home run in the third. LA Tech's 4-7 hitters in the lineup each had two hits apiece and combined to go 8-for-17 at the plate. The Bulldogs out-hit the Crusaders 13 to seven in the win.

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