MIAMI - Louisiana Tech survived a late surge from FIU to secure a game-two victory as the Bulldogs (22-7, 4-1 CUSA) earned a 7-6 victory over FIU (14-13, 5-3 CUSA) on Friday night at FIU Baseball Stadium, evening up the series. 

LA Tech got the bats going after Jorge Corona doubled to left center, leading to a full-count walk from Ethan Bates. Next, Adarius Myers (2-for-4, 3 RBI) singled to left field and advanced to second base while earning an RBI. Later, Corona (3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2B, HR) batted in a two-run home run to left field in the third inning, putting LA Tech ahead 3-0. However, FIU fought back with its own two-run homer, cutting Tech's lead to 3-2. 

Eventually, LA Tech secured two more runs after Cole McConnell scored home on a wild pitch, and Corona scored following a Myers groundout RBI, extending the game 5-2. Meanwhile, the Panthers clawed back with back-to-back solo home runs from Andre Martinez and Austin Dearing, making it a 5-4 game. 

Tech batted in some insurance runs after McConnell earned an RBI single, sending Furr to touch home plate. Then Myers collected his third RBI of the night after a sacrifice fly sent McConnell home and put the Bulldogs up 7-4. A late rally from the Panthers emerged in the bottom of the eighth inning, which led the Panthers to notch in a pair of RBI singles from Hector Candelas and Armando Becerra, cutting it to a 7-6 game. Ethan Bates survived the late rally from FIU, picking up his eighth save this season. Pitcher Reed Smith had a night on the mound going five innings and fanning down seven batters, earning him a new career-high in strikeouts. 

UP NEXT 
Louisiana Tech looks to take the series against FIU in a rubber match on Saturday. The first pitch to Saturday's game will be at 11 a.m. CT at FIU Baseball Stadium. Turner Swistak will get the start for tomorrow's game. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Baseball, follow us on Twitter (@LATechBSB), Instagram (@LATechBSB), and Facebook (LATechBSB).