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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