Stephen F. Austin
Louisiana Tech
SFA Falls at Louisiana Tech, 11-3
4/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Louisiana Tech 11, Stephen F. Austin 3
J.C. Love Field · Ruston, La.
Records: SFA (15-30); LATECH (21-21)
Up Next: at McNeese State · Friday, May 1 · 6:30 p.m.
RUSTON, La. -- Stephen F. Austin struck first with two runs in the top of the third, but Louisiana Tech rallied to outscore the Lumberjacks 11-1 over the final six innings, including a seven-run sixth, to defeat the `Jacks 11-3 at J.C. Love Field.
With the loss, SFA falls to 15-30 on the season and 8-20 all-time against the Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech completes the home-and-home sweep against SFA, winning 12 of the last 13 meetings between the two.
Coming off a home series victory over Abilene Christian, SFA saw the momentum carry over into the top of the third inning as the Lumberjacks scored a pair of runs on three hits, taking the early 2-0 lead. Kyle Thornell recorded an RBI single with Cameron Salvaggio knocking a sacrifice fly to plate the two runs for the Lumberjacks.
After threatening with a runner at third in the fourth, SFA conceded three runs in the bottom of the fourth off a three-run home run, giving the Bulldogs the 3-2 lead. The Lumberjacks tied things up in the top of the sixth off an RBI single from Will Vest as the `Jacks and Bulldogs were all even at 3-3 after five and a half.
But then came the seven-run sixth for Louisiana Tech, breaking the game open at 10-3. Four different SFA pitchers combined on the downpour as LaTech scored the seven runs on four hits, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Bulldogs then added one more in the seventh, cruising to the 11-3 victory.
SFA out-hit Louisiana Tech 12-10, including a 4-for-5 night for Conner Fikes with Vest, Zach Valenzuela and Brandon Smith each recording a pair of hits. But the Lumberjacks left 10 runners on base, unable to come up with the key hit in the right moments.
Starter Tyler Day lasted 4.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits with four strikeouts, earning the no decision. Eric Polivka earned the loss after pitching the final out of the fifth then facing three batters in the sixth giving up a pair of runs on three hits. Kash Armstrong was the only SFA pitcher to not allow a run, sending the Bulldogs down in the eighth.
SFA now sets its sights on a key Southland Conference series this weekend in Lake Charles, facing fifth-place McNeese State. Both teams are locked in heated battles for SLC Championship seeding as this weekend's series could help clear the muddled playoff picture. First pitch against the Cowboys is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a 2 p.m. start Saturday and a 1 p.m. first pitch in Sunday's finale.
-SFA-
