RUSTON, La.- Another late-game rally from Louisiana Tech helped pull out a 6-3 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. With the win, LA Tech (25-8, 6-2 CUSA) secured the series against Middle Tennessee (10-19, 2-6 CUSA) heading into the finale on Sunday. 

LA Tech jumped to an early 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning as Ethan Bates earned another RBI on Saturday following a single to right field that brought home Kasten Furr from third. Later, Middle Tennessee tied the game in the second after Cale Vinson singled up the middle, sending Trace Phillips home. The Blue Raiders would take the lead in the fourth thanks to a Sacrifice RBI bunt from Vinson that sent Brett Vondolhen across home plate, making it 2-1. 

The Bulldogs rallied though in the sixth inning following a three-run moonshot by Will Safford. Safford (1-for-3, 3 RBI, HR, BB) sent a ball into the Kennel and tallied his fourth home run this season. Meanwhile, LA Tech earned an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning after Grant Comeaux brought a run in with an sacrifice fly RBI. 

In the eighth inning, Middle Tennessee would load the bases after three walks from Sam Brodersen. Bates was then called to the mound to relief pitch for the Bulldogs. The Hot Springs, Arkansas native escaped the inning, giving up one run following a hit-by-pitch. Cole McConnell secured a run when he singled through the right side of the field, bringing Furr home and extending the Bulldogs' lead to 6-3. Bates would come back out in the ninth, getting a ground and two strikeouts to earn his 10th save of the season. 

Reed Smith (4-2) got the win for the Bulldogs, throwing 6.0 innings while allowing just two runs with seven strikeouts.

QUOTABLES
Head Coach Lane Burroughs

"I hope our fans, myself included, see what is happening. You don't see this very often from anybody in the country. What Ethan is doing is unbelievable, and it's a once-in-a-generation thing. You don't walk into a game with bases loaded and nobody out, but it was like Bates was taking a stroll through the park. I am proud that Will Safford came through when the team needed it the most, and I thought the game turned around after Cole McConnell's at-bat. McConnell had a long at-bat in the fifth inning and got their pitcher's pitch count up, and we ended up hitting the three-run homer." 

UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech is looking for the series sweep tomorrow against Middle Tennessee after locking in the series win on Saturday. The first pitch for Sunday's game is at 10 a.m. (moved up due to impending weather) on ESPN+ at the Love Shack.  

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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