TROY, Ala. – Errors in the sixth and seventh innings cost Louisiana Tech in a 7-4 road loss to the Troy Trojans at Riddle-Pace Field.
 
Parker Bates went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in the third inning. Tyler Follis allowed just a single earned run in 4.2 innings. The senior struck out seven Trojans.  
 
Marquez Oates earned the win for Troy (7-0) by kicking off four innings of scoreless relief. Drew Frederic went 3-for-4 with a run.
 
Tech (4-2) ran into some early trouble. Troy loaded the bases in the first inning after a two hits and a one-out walk. Follis needed some help, and got it. The senior induced a ground ball that took Taylor Young right to second base. Young turned two, keeping Troy off the board.
 
The Bulldogs opened the scoring with a two-out rally in the third inning. Logan McLeod stroked his first hit as a Bulldog into left field, bringing up Young. The junior smoked a double into left-center, field, scoring McLeod from first. Hunter Wells worked a walk in the next plate appearance, setting the table for Bates. The senior delivered, smoking a three-run home run over the wall in right.
 
Bates' home run traveled 381 feet and had an exit velocity of 102 miles-per-hour according to Trackman data provided by Troy.
 
Troy cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth. Easton Kirk's line drive narrowly escaped Cole McConnell's glove, sending two runners home. The Trojans nearly struck for more, but Kyle Crigger entered for Follis and punched out William Sullivan with two runners on base.
 
The Trojans took the lead in the sixth. Troy scored the first run of the inning on a passed ball before plating two more on a throwing error. Kyle Griffen came on in relief after the error and retired the next two batters to keep Tech within one. The Trojans added two more runs in the following inning after a drop at second on an attempted double play.
 
Seth Traweek made his debut in relief of Griffen in the eighth inning. He struck out one in two-thirds of an inning of scoreless relief.
 
The Bulldogs and Trojans will return to Riddle-Pace Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the final game of the series. Jarret Whorff will get the start for Louisiana Tech.