RUSTON, La. – A five-run sixth inning from Middle Tennessee costs Louisiana Tech the series sweep on Sunday. Louisiana Tech (25-9, CUSA 6-3) fell at home on Sunday for the first time this season after losing 9-5 to Middle Tennessee (11-19, CUSA 3-6).
Tech got on the board first, scoring one run in the bottom of the first after a fielding error from Middle Tennessee pitcher Patrick Johnson that led Cole McConnell to score home. Later in the third inning, Middle Tennessee with a pair of back-to-back RBI doubles from Eston Snider and Briggs Rutter went up 2-1. The Blue Raiders secured one more run after a SAC Fly RBI, extending their lead to 3-1 in the third.
The Bulldogs cut in the lead following a Cole McConnell (2-for-4, RBI, BB, HR) opposite side field home run, which was his eleventh this season. Next, Jorge Corona (3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 HR) followed with back-to-back home runs for the Bulldogs, tying the game up in the third.
Eventually, Middle Tennessee knocked in five runs in the top of the sixth, Nathan Brewer started the scoring run when doubled to left field and forced in a run. A single from Brett Vondohlen drove in Brewer, making it a 5-3 game. Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee’s final two runs came from an RBI single and an RBI triple, closing the sixth inning out by a score of 8-3.
A home run from Eston Snider helped extend Middle Tennessee’s lead to 9-3 in the top of the seventh, but Jorge Corona cut the lead to 9-4 after he batted in his second home run on the evening. The Miami, Fla. native drove in another run in the ninth, resulting in the 9-5 score.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Lane Burroughs
” I thought Turner threw pretty well. He had a little trouble giving up the three spots, but he was able to come back with zeros. Our starters have learned how to get through rough innings and navigate the lineup multiple times, but what he did was unbelievable. I thought the outfield played well, Adarius and Will made some great plays.”
UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will be on the road at ULL on Wednesday for a rematch of the home and away series. The first pitch for the game will be at 6 PM on ESPN+.
