RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech defeats FIU 12-2 in the conference home opener at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
 
LA Tech (16-6, 3-1 C-USA) used two big innings and strong pitching in the win over FIU (9-13, 2-2 C-USA). Taylor Young and Philip Matulia both recorded three hit nights while Matulia recorded four RBI. Jonathan Fincher earned his fifth win moving to 5-0 tossing six solid innings giving up one earned run, walking one and striking out five.
 
The Bulldogs answered with a four spot in the first inning after the Panthers scored a run in the top half. Steele Netterville brought in the first run of the game on an RBI groundout. Matulia followed up with an RBI single up the middle. Two more runs came across on a throwing error by the third baseman.
 
In the third, Logan McLeod singled bringing in Walker Burchfield to take a 5-1 lead.
 
LA Tech tallied five runs in the seventh inning blowing the game wide open. Young collected his third hit of the night scoring Jorge Corona. Bryce Wallace was hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to extend the lead 9-2. Matulia cleared the bases following the hit-by-pitch for his third hit of the game and gave the Bulldogs a 12-2 lead.
 
Right-hander, Anthony Giannette made his fifth appearance out of the bullpen hurling a perfect final three innings while punching out three batters.
 
NOTABLES

• Bulldogs have won 9 out of the last 10 games.
• Young extends on-base streak to 16.
• Bulldogs hitters had six HBP.
• Fincher moves to 5-0.
• Matulia collects three hits and four RBI
• Adarius Myers with two stolen bases

 
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Lane Burroughs
 
"Fincher took us through six innings. We needed a quality start. We didn't get any last weekend and I didn't think he was at his best. That's what the good ones do though, they find a way when they are not at their best."
 
"Proud of our guys. We got the big hits we needed. We had the big first inning. I thought we were very aggressive on the bases, and that was our plan coming into the weekend. Philip (Matulia) came through with the three RBI double. Got the big hits when we needed them. Really good team over there. These conference games are important so we need to get ready to come out tomorrow prepared to win a series."
 
LHP Jonathan Fincher
 
"I wouldn't say I had my best stuff. I didn't have a lot of velocity early on so I really had to focus on locating my fastball. I take pride in my fastball command because I am not the typical Friday guy that will flash mid 90s at you but I am guy that will attack the zone and miss barrels and force bad swings. Coach Cooper Fouts called a tremendous game tonight."
 
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs go for the series win against FIU Saturday at 2 p.m. at J.C Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
 
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