RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech falls at home after strong hitting carried Southern Miss. to a victory. Tech notched four runs with 11 hits and two errors, while Southern Miss. collected nine runs and 12 hits with two errors on Friday night. 

Southern Miss. came out swinging in the top of the first inning, putting three runs on the Bulldog after a Nick Monistere home run and a two-run Billy Butler home run. Tech joined the fun after making the bases loaded following a Kasten Furr hit-by-pitch, a Cole McConnell single, and Dalton Davis single. Senior Ethan Bates contributed to the first run for Tech after he reached on a fielder's choice RBI. 

The Golden Eagles continued their strong hitting in the third, from a two-run home run from Slade Wilks, making the game 5-1 in their favor. Southern Miss. Dalton McIntyre sent a ball over the left field wall, extending the lead to 6-1. The Bulldogs wouldn't quit following a Kasten Furr RBI double, scoring Grant Comeaux and making the game 6-2. 

After another Billy Butler home run, Southern Miss extended their lead to 8-2 in the top of the seventh. The Golden Eagles put their ninth and final run on the board after a wild pitch scored Moinstere. Tech picked up two more runs in the bottom of the ninth following an Adarius Myers RBI single and a fielder's choice that allowed Dalton Davis to score. 

Tech's pitching allowed 12 hits on Friday, which was the most they had given up this year.  Junior Nate Crider had two strikeouts and only allowed two hits on the night. Junior Blake Hooks had one strikeout and one walk on the mound for the Bulldogs.  

QUOTABLE
Head coach Lane Burroughs 
"We have to get a better start on Friday night they are a good team. Offensively I thought we had a great plan, that we competed, and we left too many guys on base. That's Friday night, and the guys are good on the mound. If you give up nine runs on Friday night, you will not win the ballgame."

UP NEXT 
Louisiana Tech will face Southern Miss. on Saturday, with the first pitch at 2 p.m. 

TICKET INFO. 
During the 2024 season, a limited number of single-game reserved chairback tickets may be available on a game-by-game basis. Any opportunities for unclaimed single-game tickets will go on sale, if available, no earlier than 24 hours before the scheduled first pitch.

Single-game standing-room only and right-field berm tickets are also available on a game-by-game basis for $15. 

To purchase, fans can stop by the LA Tech Baseball Box Office at J.C. Love Field, open two hours before the first pitch, or visit LATechSports.com/Tickets.
 
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