Sunday, May 9, 2010

Casey Jones pitches complete game for Wade Simoneaux's 200th victory as head coach of Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Tech Completes Sweep of Sacramento State with 7-2 Win


Sophomore third baseman Mark Threlkeld batted an incredible .765 in the series with an .810 on base percentage
 
Sophomore third baseman Mark Threlkeld batted an incredible .765 in the series with an .810 on base percentage 
May 9, 2010

Box Score


RUSTON-- Louisiana Tech pitcher Casey Jones recorded a career day as he pitched the full nine innings to lead the Bulldogs to a 7-2 win over Sacramento State Sunday afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
The win marked Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux's 200th career victory at Louisiana Tech.
"I'm happy about the win today and happy for our guys," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux. "I'm proud of the way they fought today and really the way they fought all series."
Jones came into this weekend having only pitched 10.1 innings on the season in nine appearances, all out of the bullpen for Tech. However, the right-hander came out firing on all cylinders Sunday as he pitched his first career complete game while recording a career high eight strikeouts doubling his season strikeout total on the year.
"When you pitch like that you're going to have a real good shot at winning," Simoneaux said. "Casey (Jones) wanted the ball today, he had his mind right and he did an outstanding job for us today out on the mound."
The coaching staff made the decision to go with Jones on Sunday because of the success he has had in the past vs. the Hornets. The junior threw a career high 7.1 innings last season at Sacramento in a 10-5 Tech win.
With the pitchers battling it out through the first couple of innings Tech finally got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the third. Left fielderKyle Roliard led off the inning with a single and was followed by a Mark Threlkeld walk before he advanced to third by tagging up on an Alex Williams fly ball to right. Devon Dageford then drove in Roliard for the first run of the game with a single that the shortstop fielded, but was unable to get Dageford at first.
 

 

Second baseman Joey Ford knocked in another run with a base hit up the middle and later scored on a Justin Gordeybase knock into right field to give Tech a 3-0 lead after the third inning.Sacramento State cut the lead to 3-2 with two runs in the fourth inning, but those two would be the only runs of the game for the Hornets.
The Bulldogs added one run in the fifth and two more in the seventh as Williams scored on a Clint Ewing sacrifice fly and Ford touched home after a Clint Stubbs double to push Tech's lead to 6-2.
Louisiana Tech added one more insurance run in the eighth to take a 7-2 lead into the final inning. Designated hitterWill Alvis started the eighth off with a double off the wall in centerfield. With the double the Bulldogs set a new school record for doubles in a season with 120. Alvis advanced to third after Ashton Hughes laid down a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a Roliard sacrifice fly to left.
Dageford led all Bulldogs at the plate with three hits in the game while six different Tech batters recorded an RBI with Ford leading the pack with two in the contest.
"This team is very capable of doing some great things," Simoneaux said. "I think a lot of people gave up on us after our pitching injuries started piling up, but I knew these guys wouldn't give up. There is no giving up with this team. Our batters have really stepped up for us this year and have been relentless all season in the batter's box."
Louisiana Tech will now prepare for a mid-week game vs. No. 10 Arkansas on Tuesday May 11 in Little Rock before traveling to Austin, Texas to take on No. 1 Texas in a double-header on Sunday May 16.

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