by Malcolm Butler
Ethan Bates continued his assault on the baseball leading Louisiana Tech to an 11-3 win over Xavier Tuesday night at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
Bates led and his Bulldog teammates followed.
The Tech closer and designated hitter recorded four hits — including a pair of doubles — and drove in three runs as the Bulldogs improved to 12-0 on the season.
Bates wasn’t the only Bulldog tearing the proverbial cover off the ball as Jorge Corona homered and drove in three runs and Dalton Davis made the most of his one hit with three RBI.
Tech scored three in the first, one in the second and two more in the fourth to build a 6-2 lead and then blew the game open with a four-run sixth that included Corona’s second home run of the year.
Logan McLeod scored three runs while Kasten Furr, Davis and Bates each crossed home plate twice.
Caden Copeland (3-0) picked up his third win of the season, tossing 4.0 innings while allowing two runs — one earned — on four hits and two walks with three punch outs.
Greg Martinez (1.2), Grant Hubka (1.1) and Ryan Harland (2.0) combined for 5.0 innings in relief, allowing just one run on five hits with nine combined strikeouts.
Tech will look for the two-game midweek sweep when the Bulldogs host the Musketeers tonight at 6 p.m.
