LPJ Sports Report
RUSTON, La. — Louisiana Tech Bulldogs baseball scratched out just enough offense and leaned on dominant pitching Thursday night to edge Sam Houston Bearkats baseball 2-1 in the opening game of a pivotal Conference USA series at the Love Shack — thanks in large part to true freshman Casey McCoy driving home both runs.
The Diamond ’Dogs improved to 32-22 overall and 18-10 in Conference USA play, staying firmly in the hunt near the top of the league standings entering the final weekend of the regular season.
“It was a grinder, a really good ball game,” Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs said. “Two really good pitchers going at each other — it’s a real Friday night atmosphere, even though we’re playing on Thursday.”
Both teams struggled offensively early as Louisiana Tech’s Declan Dahl and Sam Houston starter Ryan Peterson traded scoreless innings through the first two frames. Dahl struck out five batters over the opening two innings and finished with seven strikeouts overall.
Sam Houston broke through first in the third inning on a two-out solo home run to take a 1-0 lead.
Louisiana Tech answered in the fifth when McCoy launched a leadoff home run — his fifth of the season — to even the score at 1-1.
The Bulldogs took the lead for good an inning later after Wesley Scott doubled to open the sixth and advanced to third on a bunt single by Cade Patterson. McCoy then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home Scott with the eventual winning run.
Burroughs praised the contributions from Scott and Patterson, both of whom had been battling through recent struggles at the plate.
“Two guys that have been scuffling recently — Wesley Scott and Cade Patterson — and Wes has three hits and scored the winning run,” Burroughs said. “I thought Cade’s bunt to get Wesley to third base was one of the best bunts we’ve seen all year long. There’s more than one way to help your team win.”
Scott finished with three hits, marking his first three-hit game as a Bulldog, while McCoy drove in both Louisiana Tech runs.
The Bulldogs’ bullpen preserved the narrow lead late. Luke Nichols tossed two scoreless innings and earned the win before freshman reliever Thomas Allen struck out the side in the ninth to collect his fifth save of the season.
Burroughs said Allen continues to impress in high-pressure situations.
“He just continues to do it over and over again,” Burroughs said. “He’s just oozing with confidence — he never gets sped up or rattled. The fans are going crazy and it didn’t faze him. He didn’t blink.”
Burroughs also credited Tech’s defense for limiting Sam Houston’s aggressive running game.
“They’re built on speed — they’ve attempted 150 stolen bases — and I thought our guys did a great job of minimizing that,” Burroughs said. “We kept them off base so they couldn’t play their style of game.”
Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday night in Ruston.
