RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech extended its home winning streak to nine games after a clutch eighth inning secured a 5-3 Friday night victory over Middle Tennessee at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. LA Tech (24-8, CUSA 5-2) took the series opener over Middle Tennessee (10-18, CUSA 2-5) after an
Ethan Bates home run and a
Logan McLeod RBI single in the eighth inning.
Middle Tennessee got on the scoreboard first after Bryce Symlar drove a ball to
Kasten Furr, forcing Gabe Jennings to score from third base. Later, the Blue Raiders picked up another run after Symlar secured his second RBI of the night, extending their lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning. Then Jennings grew Middle Tennessee's lead to 3-0, following a double down the left field line, sending Eston Snider home.
Eventually, LA Tech would get on the board following a
Michael Ballard (2-for-4, 2 RBI, HR) two-run home run to left in the bottom of the fifth inning. Meanwhile, in the sixth inning,
Will Safford earned an RBI after he reached on fielder's choice, advancing Bates to home and tying the game up at 3-3. Bates (2-for-4, RBI, HR) notched his seventh home run of the season after he sent a no-doubter to right field, which put LA Tech up 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Next, McLeod tacked on an insurance run after he picked up an RBI single to right center, making it five unanswered runs by the Bulldogs.
The Blue Raiders were unable to score in any runs in the final four innings thanks to the the bullpen of the Bulldogs.
Sam Brodersen (3-1) was lights out on the mound, striking out four batters in 2.0 innings of work. Bates, after sending the go-ahead solo homer into the Kennel, came on in the ninth inning and locked up his ninth save this season, striking out the side.
UP NEXT
LA Tech is set to take a series win against Middle Tennessee tomorrow following a Friday night victory. The first pitch to Saturday's game will be at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
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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