Thursday, April 30, 2009

First game of Tech at Hawaii four-game series begins at 11:35 p.m. tonight

Bulldogs Continue Conference Play at Hawai'i
Tech will look to move up in the conference standings beginning Thursday

Devon Dageford leads the Bulldogs with 19 home runs and 56 RBI.
April 29, 2009

HONOLULU -- Following a series split at Sacramento State, Louisiana Tech will now play a four-game series at Hawai'i beginning Thursday, April 30 at 11:35 p.m. CST.
"We have to go into the series focused because there are many distractions in Hawai'i," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "I had a talk with our players and reminded them about the reason why we came here, to play baseball.
"We are going to be playing in a ballpark that favors pitching and defense. Our pitchers need to trust their stuff on the mound and not walk people. Our fielding percentage within the past 10 games is .973 so we need to continue playing well on defense. Lastly, we need to be relentless at the plate and put pressure on them."
The Bulldogs have an overall record of 22-18. Currently, they are fifth in the Western Athletic Conference with a conference record of 7-9. They trail league leaders Hawai'i and Nevada by only 2.5 games.
Hawai'i comes into the series with a record of 26-16, 9-6 WAC. In their last conference series at New Mexico State, the Rainbows split their four-game set with the Aggies.
The Rainbows lead Tech in the head-to-head series, 16-23. Last season, the Bulldogs won two of four games in Ruston, 14-4 and 10-9.
Chris Kersten now ranks first on the team with a .400 batting average. Of his 60 hits on the season, he has recorded 15 doubles, one triple and 16 home runs. In WAC games, Tech's shortstop/third baseman is posting a team-high .475 batting average (28-for-59).
Freshman right-hander Jeb Stefan (3-5, 7.67 ERA) will start game one on Thursday. In Stefan's last outing at Sacramento State, he only made two mistakes, but the Hornets capitalized by hitting two three-run home runs. Besides the two long balls, he walked two and struck out a career-high 10 batters. His 10 strikeouts were the most since Luke Burnett struck out 14 on April 5, 2007 against New Mexico State. Right-hander Jayson Kramer (4-3, 3.68 ERA) will oppose Stefan. Kramer last faced New Mexico State on April 24 and allowed five runs (all earned) in six innings of work.
Dylan Moseley (4-3, 5.34 ERA) will toe the rubber in game two of the series on Friday. In his last start, the native of Texarakana, Ark. pitched through seven innings and gave up four runs (all earned), while striking out two. Right-hander Matt Sisto (4-4, 4.12 ERA) will start for Hawai'i. He leads the Rainbow staff with two complete games, but he has also given up a team-high 72 hits and 33 runs.
Simoneaux and his staff will call on John Anderson (5-2, 5.31 ERA) to start on Saturday. Anderson last started March 20 in a 11-4 win against Houston Baptist. Since then, the right-hander has made eight appearances out of the bullpen. In his last 4 2/3 innings, he has given up one hit, an unearned run and three walks. He has also struck out three. Hawai'i will attempt to counter with right-hander Nate Klein (1-2, 3.63 ERA), who possesses the lowest earned run average among the Rainbow starters.

Casey Jones (3-0, 5.50 ERA) will start the series finale on Sunday. In Jones' last start, the 6-1, 200-pound right-hander pitched 7 1/3 innings, gave up seven hits, three runs (all earned), walked two and struck out five. Right-hander Jared Alexander (2-1, 6.82 ERA) will take the mound for Hawai'i. The senior last appeared in relief in game two of the Rainbows' doubleheader against the Aggies. He pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed five hits. He also struck out two.

The series will open Thursday at 11:35 p.m. CST. Games two and three of the series are scheduled for 11:35 p.m. CST on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Both teams will wrap up the series on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm. CST.
Fans can tune into ESPN 97.7 FM to hear Dave Nitz call the play-by-play action of all four games as they happen. Nitz will begin the pregame show approximately 10 minutes prior to the first pitch of each game.
Hawai'i will video stream the entire series online at www.hawaiiathletics.com. The price per game is $6.28.
Live stats will be available all four games at the online home of Louisiana Tech athletics, www.latechsports.com.

Tech Talk summarizes split-series at Sacramento State

Five homeruns highlight Bulldogs series split
Kevin Sims
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Sports
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Big hits and stingy pitching helped Tech rally back to split the four-game series against Sacramento State University in Sacramento, Calif., over the weekend.
With the split, Tech improved its conference record to 7-9 and moved to 22-18 on the season.

Tech 7, Sac 8
In the Friday series opener, Tech dropped a heartbreaker 8-7 after a seventh inning rally came up a little too short.

With one down, junior right fielder Devon Dageford hit a solo home run to left center to cut the Hornets' lead to two. Two batters later, freshman first basemen Alex Williams added another solo shot to bring Tech within one, but a strike out by senior catcher Matt Combs ended the inning with Tech still trailing.

Tech failed to get a hit for the remainder of the game. Junior starter Jamey Bradshaw had a less than stellar outing, giving up six earned runs in 2.1 innings. Dageford led the Bulldogs offensively, going 3-4 with two RBIs.

Tech 6, Sac 8
A pair of three-run homer runs by Sacramento proved too much for Tech to overcome in Saturday's outing as the Bulldogs fell 8-6 in game two.

Tech fought back in the fifth, scoring five runs on three hits including a grand slam by sophomore catcher Clint Ewing. Tech struck again in the top of the ninth when Dageford opened the inning with his second homer in two days, but a double play and a fielder's choice ended Tech's night.

Freshman starter Jeb Stefan gave up eight runs in 6.2 innings while Ewing led the Bulldog sluggers going 1-3 with four RBIs.

Tech 7 Sac 4
Tech ended its two-game skid with a 7-4 victory despite a dangerous eight inning.

After only giving up four runs in seven innings of work, senior starter Dylan Mosely gave up back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases for the Hornets.

With only one down, head coach Wade Simoneaux turned to freshman pitcher Mike Jefferson to get out of the hole. Jefferson managed to strike out the next batter and ending the inning with no damage done when he got Sacramento's Tim Wheeler to fly out to right field.

Senior second baseman led the Bulldogs going 2-4 with two RBIs.

Tech 10, Sac 5
In the series finale, Tech left little doubt in its offensive abilities, smashing five home runs to close out the series, with a 10-5 win.

Tech managed six runs on four hits in the top of the seventh to pull the game out of reach. Kersten opened scoring with a home run to left center.

After a pair of hits and an error, senior left fielder Patrick Thomas capped Tech's scoring with a three-run blast, Tech's fifth on the day. Sophomore starter Casey Jones pitched 7.1 innings giving up three runs on seven hits. Kersten, Thomas, Dageford and Williams all went yard for the Bulldogs.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Louisiana Tech professor to discuss the struggle for the solar future Saturday afternoon at Nightbird Books on Dickson Street in Fayetteville

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of poster.

Solar Power Struggle
Professor Richard Hutchinson of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston will speak on "The Struggle for the Solar Future" at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at Nightbird Books on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
An inquiry into environmental change and the obstacles and opportunities in the path of the renewable energy transition.
Sponsored by OMNI Center for Peace, Justice, and Ecology.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs beat Sacramento State 10-5 to split four-game series in California

Jones and Tech Offense Earn Bulldogs a Series Split
Redshirt sophomore pitches over seven innings and Bulldog hitters smash five home runs in win
Chris Kersten went 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs on Monday.
April 27, 2009
Box Score
SACRAMENTO -- Casey Jones' excellent outing on Monday afternoon was aided by five Bulldog home runs as Louisiana Tech (22-18, 7-9 WAC) earned a series split by defeating Sacramento State (23-19, 4-8 WAC) 10-5 at Hornet Field.
"Our offense gave Casey plenty of support and our defense played extremely well behind him," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "We pounded out 16 hits and did not commit an error on the day."
For the second time in the series, Louisiana Tech scored one run in the top of the first inning. Following a perfectly executed hit and run by Kevin Winn, Devon Dageford added his 55th RBI of the season after he hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Nick Grunenwald and give the Bulldogs an early lead.
Tech's lead did not last very long though as second baseman Hunter Martinez led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to right-center field.
In the top of the fourth, Dageford broke the tie game after he hit his 19th home run of the season to start the inning. Chris Kersten then smashed his 15th home run of the year, a solo shot, to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 advantage.
Jones did not let the leadoff solo home run bother him as that was the only hit and run he allowed through four innings. In that span, he also walked two and struck out one.
Alex Williams gave Jones another insurance run in the sixth inning. With one out in the frame, the native of Vick, La. hit Tech's third solo home run of the day to give his team a 4-1 lead.
Jones eclipsed his previous career-high five innings pitched after he recorded two strikeouts and a fly out in the sixth inning. At the end of six, Jones allowed only three hits and one run.
 "Casey pitched outstanding," Simoneaux said. "He really stepped up for us when we needed him. He gave us a big pitching performance today."
Kersten hit his second home run of the day in the top of the seventh inning with two outs to increase Tech's advantage, 5-1. A fielding error by Martinez allowed Clint Ewing to score from second base. Kyle Roliard then ran out an RBI single to give Tech a 7-1 lead. Before Sacramento State reliever Nick Buchta could escape the inning, Patrick Thomas cracked a three-run home run.
After Jones forced a fly out in the bottom of the eighth, Hornet shortstop Josh Powers hit a wind-aided double down the left-field line just behind third base. Center fielder Tim Wheeler then hit an RBI double to give Sacramento State its second run. John Anderson relieved Jones in the inning and hit first baseman Jeff Roth to load the bases. A sacrifice fly by left fielder Adam Crouch minimized the Bulldogs lead, 10-3.
The Hornets scored two runs on two hits in the ninth inning, but reliever Mike Jefferson forced a game-ending double play, Tech's first double play of the series.
Jones improved to 3-0 on the year with the win. He pitched a total of 7 2/3 innings, allowed seven hits, three runs (all earned) and only two walks. He also added five strikeouts.
Kersten led his teammates with three hits, including two home runs, while Thomas led the team with three RBI.
Louisiana Tech out-hit Sacramento State 16-9.
Tech's back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning marked the third time the Bulldogs have hit back-to-back long balls this season.
The Bulldogs have now hit 78 home runs this year, second-most in Tech history. One hundred and two home runs were hit by Louisiana Tech in 1988.
Louisiana Tech 1st
Thomas, P. struck out swinging (1-2).
Grunenwald,N singled to left field (0-2).
Winn singled through the right side (3-2); Grunenwald,N advanced to third.
Dageford flied out to rf, SF, RBI (1-1); Grunenwald,N scored.
Kersten flied out to rf (3-2).
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sacramento State 1st
Martinez, H. homered to right center, RBI (1-0).
Powers, J. flied out to ss (3-2).
Wheeler, T. flied out to rf (0-0).
Crosby, B. fouled out to 3b (2-0).
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 2nd
Ewing grounded out to 2b (0-0).
Threlkeld flied out to cf (0-1).
Williams flied out to lf (1-2).
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Sacramento State 2nd
Roth, J. grounded out to 3b (0-1).
Crouch, A. struck out swinging (1-2).
Lamb, J. grounded out to 3b (3-1).
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 3rd
Gordey to dh for Moseley.
Gordey flied out to cf (1-0).
Thomas, P. flied out to rf (2-0).
Grunenwald,N doubled to center field, ground-rule (0-0).
Winn grounded out to 2b (0-1).
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sacramento State 3rd
Hottman, B. walked (3-1).
Mezzaneras grounded out to c, SAC, bunt (0-0); Hottman, B. advanced to second.
Martinez, H. reached on a fielder's choice (0-1); Hottman, B. out at second p to 3b to ss.
Martinez, H. out at second c to 2b, caught stealing.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 4th
Dageford homered to center field, RBI (0-0).
Kersten homered to left center, RBI (1-1).
Ewing singled to right field (0-0).
Threlkeld grounded into double play 1b to ss to 1b (0-1); Ewing out on the play.
Williams walked (3-1).
Buchta, N. to p for Taku, A..
Roliard pinch hit for Gordey.
Roliard struck out looking (0-2).
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sacramento State 4th
Powers, J. hit by pitch (2-0).
Wheeler, T. flied out to cf (2-1).
Crosby, B. flied out to rf (2-0).
Powers, J. advanced to second on a balk.
Roth, J. walked (3-2).
Crouch, A. popped up to ss (0-1).
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 5th
Thomas, P. singled up the middle (1-2).
Grunenwald,N grounded out to p, SAC, bunt (0-0); Thomas, P. advanced to second.
Winn reached on a fielding error by ss (3-2).
Dageford walked (3-2); Winn advanced to second; Thomas, P. advanced to third.
Kersten struck out looking (1-2).
Ewing fouled out to rf (1-1).
0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 LOB.
Sacramento State 5th
Lamb, J. grounded out to 3b (0-1).
Hottman, B. singled through the left side (1-2).
Mezzaneras struck out swinging (1-2).
Martinez, H. grounded out to 1b unassisted (0-0).
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 6th
Threlkeld fouled out to rf (3-2).
Williams homered to right field, RBI (3-2).
Roliard to dh.
Roliard doubled to left center (1-0).
Thomas, P. fouled out to 3b (0-2).
Roliard advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Grunenwald,N flied out to rf (3-2).
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Sacramento State 6th
Powers, J. struck out swinging (2-2).
Wheeler, T. flied out to cf (1-1).
Crosby, B. singled up the middle (1-1).
Roth, J. struck out swinging (3-2).
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 7th
Winn flied out to lf (0-0).
Dageford struck out swinging (0-2).
Kersten homered to left center, RBI (0-0).
Ewing struck out swinging, reached first on a wild pitch (1-2).
Threlkeld singled to center field (1-0); Ewing advanced to second.
Williams reached on a fielding error by 2b (0-0); Threlkeld advanced to third; Ewing scored, unearned.
Williams stole second.
Roliard singled to shortstop, RBI (1-1); Williams advanced to third; Threlkeld scored, unearned.
Thomas, P. homered to center field, 3 RBI, unearned (2-0); Roliard scored, unearned; Williams scored, unearned.
Grunenwald,N grounded out to 1b unassisted (2-1).
6 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Sacramento State 7th
Crouch, A. singled up the middle (2-0).
Lamb, J. struck out swinging (1-2).
Hottman, B. flied out to cf (2-0).
Otsuka, I. pinch hit for Mezzaneras.
Otsuka, I. singled (2-0); Crouch, A. out at second 2b unassisted.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 8th
Otsuka, I. to rf.
Winn grounded out to ss (0-0).
Dageford singled up the middle (1-0).
Alexander pinch ran for Dageford.
Kersten singled to left field (0-0); Alexander advanced to second.
Ewing out at first 1b to p (1-2); Kersten advanced to second; Alexander advanced to third.
Hughes pinch hit for Threlkeld.
Hughes struck out looking (2-2).
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Sacramento State 8th
Alexander to rf.
Kersten to 3b.
Hughes to ss.
Martinez, H. flied out to cf (0-1).
Powers, J. doubled to left field (1-0).
Wheeler, T. doubled to right field, RBI (1-1); Powers, J. scored.
Crosby, B. hit by pitch (3-1).
Anderson to p for Jones, C..
Roth, J. hit by pitch (2-1); Crosby, B. advanced to second; Wheeler, T. advanced to third.
Crouch, A. flied out to cf, SF, RBI (1-1); Crosby, B. advanced to third; Wheeler, T. scored.
Espana, J. pinch hit for Lamb, J..
Espana, J. walked (3-2); Roth, J. advanced to second.
Hottman, B. fouled out to 1b (2-2).
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
Louisiana Tech 9th
Mire pinch hit for Williams.
Mire singled to left field (1-2).
Stubbs pinch hit for Roliard.
Stubbs struck out swinging (2-2).
Thomas, P. reached on a fielding error by lf (3-1); Mire advanced to second.
Grunenwald,N grounded out to 1b unassisted (2-2); Thomas, P. advanced to second; Mire advanced to third.
Winn flied out to lf (1-1).
0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 LOB.
Sacramento State 9th
Mire to 1b.
Meyers to p for Anderson.
Otsuka, I. hit by pitch (2-0).
Otsuka, I. advanced to second on a passed ball.
Martinez, H. walked (3-0).
Martinez, H. advanced to second on a wild pitch; Otsuka, I. advanced to third.
Powers, J. grounded out to 3b, RBI (1-1); Otsuka, I. scored.
Wheeler, T. singled to center field, RBI (0-0); Martinez, H. scored.
Crosby, B. singled to center field (1-0); Wheeler, T. advanced to second.
Jefferson to p for Meyers.
Roth, J. grounded into double play 3b to 1b (1-2); Wheeler, T. out on the play.
2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

 
Latech
 
Inn
 
SAC
 

 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
   R
 H
 E
Louisiana Tech
1
0
0
2
0
1
6
0
0
10
16
0
Sacramento State
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
5
9
3

10
 
Final
 
5
 
 
Last play: Roth, J. grounded into double play 3b to 1b (1-2); Wheeler, T. out on the play.

Casey Jones to start Monday game at Sacramento State after Tech wins 7-4 on Sunday

Jefferson Nails Down Win for Moseley and Bulldogs Sunday
The two pitchers allowed only four runs and one walk in the victory
Nick Grunenwald scored twice Sunday.
April 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO -- Mike Jefferson pitched the final 1.2 innings and helped preserve the win for starter Dylan Moseley and the Bulldogs as Louisiana Tech (21-18, 6-9 WAC) defeated Sacramento State (23-18, 4-7 WAC) 7-4 Sunday afternoon at Hornet Field.

"Mike was brought in during a tough situation and pitched very well," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "He was able to get out of a bases loaded jam, which was crucial late in the game."

With one out in the eighth inning, Sacramento State had the bases loaded after Brett Hottman, Justin Mezzaneras and Hunter Martinez recorded back-to-back-to-back singles off of Moseley. Following the last base hit, Jefferson was brought into the game. The redshirt freshman was able to strikeout pinch hitter Jose Espana for the second out. Before he could end the inning, he needed to retire one of Sacramento State's best hitters, center field Tim Wheeler. On a 1-2 count, Jefferson was able to get out of the inning by forcing Wheeler to fly out to right field.

Two Hornets were able to reach base in the ninth inning, but Jefferson struck out the final two batters to end the game.

Moseley pitched 7.1 quality innings in Sunday's win. Even though the Hornets totaled 12 hits, he allowed four runs (both earned) without a single walk. Moseley also struck out two.

"I thought Dylan stepped up and pitched like a veteran today," Simoneaux said. "He led our team today and that was what we needed him to do."

Sacramento State scored the first run of the day in the first inning on a double by shortstop Josh Powers. After Clint Ewing tied the game on a solo home run in the top of the second, Louisiana Tech added two more in the third.

The Bulldogs had base runners on first and second with two outs and Kevin Winn at the plate in the inning. Winn smashed a line drive to center field. Wheeler appeared to rob Winn and Tech of a three-run home run, but as he leaped to catch the ball, it popped out of his glove. Alex Williams and Nick Grunenwald scored on the play to give Tech a 3-1 lead.




A solo home run by Wheeler cut the Bulldogs' lead to one in the third inning, but Moseley regained his composure and held Sacramento State scoreless in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Following a sacrifice fly by Williams in the fourth inning, Tech had the bases loaded for Devon Dageford in the fifth inning. Dageford added the Bulldogs' fifth run of the day as he hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Patrick Thomas from third base. Tech then added two more runs as Chris Kersten and Mark Threlkeld each contributed RBI singles in the inning.

Sacramento State was able to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Powers two-run RBI double, but that was it.

"Our offense did enough today, even though it was not a typical offensive day for us," Simoneaux said. "We have a big game ahead of us tomorrow. We can distance ourselves and get within 2.5 games of the league leader."

Moseley's win was his fourth of the season and the 15th of his Tech career.

Jefferson's save was his first of his Tech career.

Winn and Kersten both collected two hits in the win. Winn also totaled two RBI.

Ewing's home run was the 73rd home run the Bulldogs have hit this season. Tech's 2009 home run total ties the team for the fourth-most home runs in school history.

The win over Sacramento State on the road was Tech's first conference win away from J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park this season.

Tech will look to split the series against the Hornets as the four-game set will conclude Monday with the first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. CST.

Casey Jones (2-0, 5.97 ERA) will get the nod for the Bulldogs. Freshman left-hander Alex Taku (0-0, 1.74 ERA) will start for Sacramento State.

Dave Nitz will bring fans the play-by-play action on KPCH 99.3 FM. An audio feed will also be available online at www.thepeach993.com. The pregame show will begin at approximately 3:50 p.m. CST.

Live stats of the series finale can be viewed at www.hornetsports.com.

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Monday, April 20, 2009

Lousiana Tech takes four-game series from Fresno State's 2008 national-champion baseball team

Fresno State Bulldogs fall into WAC baseball cellar
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs sweep four-game series.

Sunday, Apr. 19, 2009
The Fresno Bee


If you hadn't been too concerned about the Fresno State baseball team's up-and-down play, now it's time to worry.
And worry a lot.
The defending national champions have looked like a complete mess on the road all season -- but not as bad as the Bulldogs looked this past weekend.

DARRELL WONG / THE FRESNO BEE
Fresno State's Holden Sprague and the Bulldogs have dropped to the bottom of the WAC baseball standings.

Fresno State was swept by Louisiana Tech in four games at J.C. Love Field in Ruston, La., and sent to the cellar of the Western Athletic Conference.
Fresno State lost 14-12 and 14-6 on Sunday to a Louisiana Tech team that, entering the series, was the last-place team in the WAC.
Not anymore.
Fresno State (18-20 overall, 2-6 WAC) fell 51/2 games behind first-place New Mexico State (32-8, 7-5), severely hindering the Bulldogs' run at a fourth straight WAC regular-season title.
And the gap could widen, with Fresno State dropping to 1-14 away from Beiden Field this season and five more road games (four WAC games) to go before returning home.
In Sunday's nightcap, Fresno State wasted Jake Johnson's grand slam and a five-run first inning as Louisiana Tech (18-16, 5-7) teed off on Fresno State's top pitcher, Holden Sprague, with five home runs. Sprague gave up eight hits, three walks and 10 runs (nine earned) in five innings.
Louisiana Tech amassed 14 hits and took advantage of four Fresno State errors, which turned into three unearned runs.
Louisiana Tech's Nick Grunewald went 2 for 3 with a homer, four RBIs and four runs.
Fresno State got little production after the first, held to four hits and one run the rest of the way. No Fresno State player notched multiple hits, blanked for five innings by Louisiana Tech reliever Mike Jefferson, who had an 8.80 ERA in 30 2/3 innings entering the contest. Jefferson relieved Louisiana Tech starter Casey Jones after Fresno State got to him for five runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Johnson was Fresno State's top hitter, going 1 for 4 with four RBIs thanks to his grand slam.
In the earlier game, Fresno State committed similar mistakes as poor starting pitching and a handful of Fresno State errors cost the California Bulldogs the game.
Starting pitcher Derek Benny was roughed up on three home runs and finished with 11 runs allowed (nine earned) on 13 hits.
Louisiana Tech amassed 17 hits, and Fresno State shortstop Danny Muno committed two errors.
Still, Fresno State had the lead heading into the bottom of the eighth after Johnson hit a two-run homer in the inning's top half to put Fresno State ahead 12-11.
But with the bullpen stretched thin over the weekend because of injuries and a lot of Louisiana Tech hits, Fresno State coach Mike Batesole turned to a position player on the mound.
Reserve infielder Ryan Allgrove gave up three runs off three hits and never logged an out as Louisiana Tech took a 14-12 lead.
Fresno State then went down in order in the ninth to seal Louisiana Tech's win.
Starting third baseman Tommy Mendonca, who set Fresno State's all-time home run record Saturday, hit his 45th career home run with a solo shot in the second inning. Mendonca did not homer in the nightcap.
Fresno State, which has lost eight of its past 10 games, continues its nine-game road trip Friday, opening a four-game series at San Jose State.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Casey Jones earns second 2009 win on April 15, as Louisiana Tech beats Northwestern State 15-3




Bulldogs Explode for 15 Runs in Win over Northwestern State
Matt Combs, Devon Dageford and Patrick Thomas each homer in the 15-3 win

Casey Jones earned the win after he allowed five hits and only one walk in five innings of work.


April 15, 2009

Box Score

RUSTON -- Louisiana Tech (14-16, 1-7 WAC) smashed seven extra base hits, including three home runs, as they scored in all but two innings in their 15-3 victory over Northwestern State (16-16, 10-7 SLC) Wednesday evening at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
"Northwestern State walked eight tonight and we only walked two," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "That's big for us. I try to tell our players that hits do not beat us, walks and errors do. We played very good defense tonight and we swung the bat very well. It is good to be at home and have the opportunity to play in our ballpark in front of our fans."
Of the six innings the Bulldogs scored in they were able to manufacture three or more runs twice. After Tech took an early 1-0 lead on a Clint Ewing sacrifice fly to the shortstop, Tech hit for the cycle in the third inning. Matt Combs started the four-hit inning by cracking his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot. Kevin Winn added one more run on a RBI double before Devon Dageford hit a two-run triple to right-center field. Before the inning ended, Chris Kersten hit a sacrifice fly to give Tech a 6-0 advantage.
Both Thomas and Dageford hit two-run home runs in the fourth and fifth innings respectively.
Through the first five frames, Tech starter Casey Jones allowed five hits and only one walk. He was able to escape possible jams in the second and fourth innings as Northwestern State has at least two runners on base by inducing two inning-ending double plays.
 Jamelle Clements relieved Jones in the sixth inning. The first three Demon hitters recorded a hit and after the third hit by third baseman Joe Urtuzuastegui, they scored their first run of the game. With runners on first and second and one out, Clements was able to force Tech's third double play of the game.
With the Bulldogs leading 10-1 through six innings, Simoneaux and Co. increased their lead in the seventh inning. Ewing provided two more RBI by stroking a double. Jonathan Mire brought Ewing home on a RBI single. In all, eight Bulldogs batted in the inning.
The Demons were able to get two runs back in the eighth on a home run by first baseman Justin O'Neal and a RBI double by right fielder Tyler Baisley.
Tech answered one more time in the lower half of the inning. With one out, Kersten scored Clint Stubbs from second on an RBI double. Ewing then recorded his fourth RBI of the game after he grounded out to bring in Winn from third base.
Jones received the win and is now 2-0 on the season.
Dageford just missed the cycle as he went 3-for-3 at the plate with a triple, home run and single, in order. The native of Beatrice, Neb. and Ewing both led the Bulldogs with four RBI a piece. Dageford also contributed four runs scored on the night.
Graham Meyers and John Anderson pitched a scoreless seventh and ninth inning, respectively.
Tech will return to action Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m. as they will host the defending National Champions Fresno State in a four-game series.



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