HAMMOND, La. – Facing a 6-1 deficit through the first three innings, the Louisiana Tech baseball team stormed back, outscoring the host Southeastern Louisiana Lions, 12-2 over the final six innings, capturing a dramatic 13-8 come-from-behind win on Friday evening from Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
Box Score (PDF)
 
"It didn't look good right out the gate," head Coach Lane Burroughs remarked. "It's tough having to go get your Friday night guy that early, but we just kept chugging along. I'm so proud of our hitters. They just wouldn't give any ground – kept fighting and kept clawing back. Chris Clayton's bases-clearing double was huge there to get us back into it. The most impressive part of the night was that I never saw any panic from any of our players or coaches. We just kept putting together good at-bats."
 
LA Tech (1-0) found itself on the wrong end of a 6-1 score through the first three innings, as the host Lions (0-1) chased Tech Friday night starter Matt Miller after just 1.2 innings, tagging him for five runs (all earned).
 
However, in the top of the fourth inning, the Bulldog bats came to life, plating five on five hits to tie the game at six. The frame began innocently via a Tanner Huddleston groundout to first. Then, the next three Bulldogs reached, as Shelton Wallace singled, Mason Robinson singled and Mason Mallard reached on a fielder's choice allowing Robinson to sneak into second after a throwing error, which loaded the bases. Senior captain Chris Clayton then doubled off the wall in left center, emptying the bags and plating three. The outburst continued after an RBI double from Hunter Wells and a sac fly RBI from Parker Bates.
 
The Lions had a response, tacking on two more in the bottom of the fourth, surging back ahead at 8-6. Then, Tech called upon long-reliever/starter junior Tyler Follis (1-0) who gave the 'Dogs the shutdown inning they needed most. In fact, Follis shut down the early potent Southeastern offense for the rest of the game, allowing just three hits over 5.2 innings, while striking out nine batters. Follis did not walk a batter and coasted through the final 24 Southeastern batters on 84 pitches.
 
"It was frustrating that we couldn't get a shutdown inning, but then Tyler Follis – what else can you say about that young man? Burroughs added. "I'm just so proud of him. He was throwing up zeros and found a way to neutralize their bats. I was really impressed with their offense tonight. We've got our work cut out for us, but I couldn't be more proud of the way we fought back tonight."
 
The stalling of the opposing offense gave the Tech bats time to make up the rest of the ground, as the bottom part of the lineup feasted on Southeastern's bullpen arms, plating three in the sixth, three in the seventh and one in the eighth, ending the game with seven unanswered runs.
 
Six Bulldogs finished the game with multiple-hit efforts, propelled by the 5-9 spots in the batting order. Tanner Huddleston was 2-for-6 with two runs in the five hole. Shelton Wallace went 3-for-5, while scoring four runs. Mason Robinson finished 2-for-5 with one run and an RBI. Mason Mallard was a catalyst from the eight hole, as the senior went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and scored four runs. Captain Chris Clayton made several impressive stops behind the plate, while going 3-for-5 with a team-high 5 RBI on the evening.
 
All-in-all Tech's 5-9 hitters collected 13 of the team's 16 hits, while accounting for 12 of the 13 runs on the evening.
 
Southeastern starter Corey Gaconi picked up a no decision after making it through four innings. The right-hander seemingly had the Bulldog bats baffled through the first three innings, until the visitors tagged him for six runs (four earned) on seven hits.
 
Kade Granier (0-1) picked up the loss as the pitcher of record for the hosts, allowing four runs (all earned) on four hits, while striking out one and walking one.
 
With the win, Tech snapped a three-game losing skid to Southeastern, dating back to the 2015 season.
 
LA Tech southpaw senior Logan Robbins (7-1, 4.66 ERA, 75.1 IP, 47 K/17 BB) is scheduled to take the mound for tomorrow's 2 p.m. Saturday start, while Southeastern is projected to counter with right-hander Will Warren (1-1, 3.04 ERA, 23.2 IP, 18 K/17 BB in 2018).
 
Saturday's game will be broadcast through the LA Tech Sports Network and can be heard on 93.3 FM or through the TuneIn app.
 
Be sure to follow @LATechBSB on Twitter for all in-game updates, news and other items of interest pertaining to the 2019 Bulldog Baseball team.