[Information provided by: Louisiana Tech Athletics]
Louisiana Tech (3-8) dropped the third and final game of the weekend series, 6-5, to McNeese State (6-5) to give the Cowboys a 2-1series victory at Cowboy Diamond in Lake Charles.
The Bulldogs took a 4-1 lead going into the fourth inning before McNeese State scored solo runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings before taking the lead off three runs scored in the sixth for a 6-4 advantage.
"We let a 4-1 lead get away from us and we did not die," head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "We hit balls right at them and they made some great defensive plays. I thought Richie (Navari) threw okay as a starter. I was hoping to get him through the fifth inning when we had the lead, but they had a big leftie coming up and we had to make the move. I thought (Caleb) Dudley pitched really well in relief. It was good to see that."
Left hander Sam Alvis (0-1) was charged with the loss after coming on in relief in the fifth inning for starter Richie Navari. Navari had a season-long outing after throwing 4.2 innings and striking out a season-high seven batters in the start. Caleb Dudley came on in the sixth inning and gave up no runs off one hit in 2.1 innings pitched.
Reliever Steven O'Bryant (1-1) earned the victory for the Cowboys after allowing one run – one earned – off six hits in 5.2 innings of relief work. Sam Peterson (3) came on in the ninth inning to earn his third save of the season for McNeese State. Left hander Jason Gibson started for the Cowboys and went 2.1 innings, while giving up four runs – all earned – off three hits and walking three.
The Bulldogs trailed 1-0 heading into the third inning before a pair of lead off walks would bring up designated hitter Taylor Terrasas with a runner in scoring position. An RBI double by Terrasas, followed by three RBI singles by Tyler Ervine, Kyle Arnsberg and Kody Neel would give Tech a 4-1 lead.
Tech added a run in the seventh off a solo homerun to left field by Ervine to lead off the inning. Ervine led the Bulldogs at the plate with a 3-for-5 effort with two runs batted in and a pair of runs scored. Terrasas and Arnsberg each added two hits apiece on the afternoon with an RBI each.
Tech had a chance for ninth-inning heroics with runners on first and second with one out, but failed to plate the game-tying run from second base after a fly ball and line drive to the Cowboy shortstop, Connor Lloyd.
The Bulldogs return to action at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday as they take on Baylor in a pair of midweek games at Baylor Ballpark in Waco, Texas. The second game versus the Bears is scheduled for a 4:05 p.m. start Wednesday.
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