Box Score May 1, 2016 Final Stats
Box: UTSA 5, LA Tech 4 (11) 
SAN ANTONIO - Louisiana Tech scored two runs in the top of the ninth to send Sunday's series finale versus UTSA into extra innings, but the Roadrunners' 11th-inning walk-off single by Bryan Arias resulted in a 5-4 loss for the Bulldogs at Roadrunner Field.
With LA Tech down 4-2 heading to the ninth, the Bulldogs rallied to tie the game at 4-4 following a walk, two errors and RBI singles by Matt Holcombe and Raphael Gladu to force extra innings in the final contest of a three-game set. The score remained knotted at four apiece until the bottom of the 11th when a one-out single and walk led to Arias' game-winning base hit to salvage the series for UTSA.
Despite the loss, LA Tech won the series over the Roadrunners with two wins Saturday. This marks the fourth straight Conference USA series the Bulldogs have won, while LA Tech is in fifth place in the updated league standings with a 12-9 record in C-USA play. The Bulldogs are 27-14 overall this season.
LA Tech used six different pitchers on the day with Braden Bristo being dealt the loss after the junior came on in the 11th and was charged with the game-winning run on one hit and a walk. Casey Sutton started and pitched 5.1 innings while allowing four runs --three earned -- on seven hits before being relieved in the sixth.
UTSA starter Chance Kirby was headed for a complete game after coming back out in the ninth, but LA Tech spoiled the right-hander's outing by plating two runs late. Kirby received a no decision after giving up four runs -- three earned -- on nine hits while walking three and striking out three in 8.1 innings. Patrick Herbelin (2-4) finished out the game for the Roadrunners by pitching the final 2.2 innings while allowing just one hit.
Sutton entered the game having pitched 20 consecutive scoreless innings but UTSA put an end to that early in the first after Matt Hilston doubled then came home on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Straub to give the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead.
LA Tech tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth when Chase Lunceford's double to left set up Taylor Love's pinch hit RBI single through the right side to even the score.
UTSA answered right back in the bottom half of the fourth when the Roadrunners took a 2-1 lead after plating an unearned run on LA Tech's second error of the game. UTSA added two more runs in the sixth on three consecutive singles and a wild pitch to lead, 4-1, over the Bulldogs through six innings of play.
The Bulldogs cut the lead to two in the eighth when J.D. Perry and Gladu led off the inning with a single and double, respectively, which set up Jordan Washam's sacrifice fly to make it a 4-2 deficit for LA Tech.
With LA Tech down to its final at bat, Taylor Love reached base on a lead-off walk in the ninth before Brennan Grant came on as a pinch runner. With one out, Brent Diaz hit a ball to Arias at shortstop who committed a fielding error before throwing the ball away allowing everyone to reach safely. The Bulldogs made UTSA pay as Holcombe and Gladu followed up with RBI singles that scored two runs and tied the game, 4-4.
LA Tech had an opportunity to break up the tied game in the top of the 11th when Chandler Hall led off the frame with a single through the left side before advancing to third on back-to-back sacrifice bunts by Michael Deceglie and Sean Ullrich. But Hall was left stranded after a strikeout ended the threat, leading to UTSA's game-winning base hit in the bottom half of the inning.
In the bottom of the 11th, Bristo came on in relief of Adam Atkins who pitched 2.2 innings for the Bulldogs starting in the eighth inning. Bristo struck out the first batter he faced before allowing a single up the middle by Trent Bowles followed by a walk to Skyler Valentine. Friday night starter Phillip Diehl then came in the game with one out and struck out Matt Hilston for the second out before surrendering the game-winning single through the right side to Arias.
Gladu, Lunceford and Hall were each 2-for-5 on the day for the Bulldogs, while Love, Holcombe and Gladu drove in RBI's in the game. LA Tech had 10 hits as a team, while UTSA totaled 12 altogether.
LA Tech returns home for a four-game home stand at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park beginning with a midweek contest against I-20 foe ULM at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Ruston. The Bulldogs also host Middle Tennessee in a three-game Conference USA series starting at 6 p.m. Friday at the Love Shack.
For complete coverage of LA Tech Baseball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (@LATechBSB), Instagram (@LATechBSB) and Facebook (/LATechBSB) or visit the official website at LATechSports.com.
