April 8, 2011

Box Score

RUSTON, La. - Ryan Gebhardt ripped an RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at two runs apiece but New Mexico State scored two runs on one hit in the top of the eighth and held on to win the conference opener, 4-2, Friday night at J.C. Love Field.

Trevor Petersen worked a clean first three innings for the Bulldogs but New Mexico State (23-6, 1-0 WAC) mounted a two-out rally with consecutive base hits from Zac Fisher and Chuck Howard in the fourth to take an early lead two-run lead.

On a 1-1 pitch in the bottom of the inning, Mark Threlkeld answered as he belted his fifth home run of the season down the left field line to cut the deficit to just one run. Petersen then worked the next three innings for the Bulldogs allowing just one hit.

Petersen allowed two runs on six hits while striking out three and walking three batters in 7.0 innings of work. The right-handed sophomore took the no decision.

In the bottom of the seventh, New Mexico State starter Ryan Beck pelted Clint Ewing to lead off the inning. Ewing then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Austin Hedges and gave way to Colby Johnson who entered the game as a pinch runner.

Following a fly out to left, freshman Ryan Gebhardt ripped a two-out single up the middle the scored Johnson from second to even the game at two apiece. Beck was able to get out of the inning as Gebhardt was caught attempting to steal second.

Beck (6-2) worked 8.0 innings and picked up the win after allowing just two runs on five hits while issuing one walk and hitting three batters.

Mike Jefferson (2-2) relieved Petersen to start the eighth and issued a leadoff walk before being relieved by Caleb Dudley with a 2-1 count on Zachary Voight. Dudley picked up a quick ground out to third then intentionally walked Parker Hipp to set up the potential double play ball.

However, Ryan Aguayo singled to center for what proved to be the go-ahead run. Then Fisher hit a routine fly ball to center that was dropped and scored another run for the Aggies.

Jefferson was tagged with the loss after allowing one run and one walk.

In the bottom of the ninth, Alex Williams drew a leadoff walk on NMSU closer, Scott Coffman. The Aggies then notched two quick outs and had what appeared to be a routine grounder to short but Tyler Forney couldn't handle the ball and Hedges reached on the error to keep the game alive.

Will Alvis was then hit by a pitch for the second time on the evening to load the bases for the Bulldogs. However, Coffman forced pinch hitter Justin Gordey to fly out to end the game and pick up his fifth save of the season.

Louisiana Tech (15-14, 0-1 WAC) returns to action tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against New Mexico State. Game one is slated for a 1 p.m. start while the second game will start approximately 45 minutes following the first game.

Notes: Louisiana Tech is now 9-16 all-time against New Mexico State... Tech has lost seven straight games against the Aggies... Tech is 1-4 when opening the WAC slate at home... Petersen's 7.0 innings of work marked the third time this season that he has worked at least seven innings... Ewing has now been hit by seven pitches this season and 22 in his career, moving him into sole possession of 10th place on the all-time list at Louisiana Tech... Will Alvis was the first Bulldog to be hit twice in a game since Clint Stubbs was hit twice on April 30, 2010 at New Mexico State... Mark Threlkeld has now homered in two consecutive games... Threlkeld has made 100 consecutive starts... Roliard saw his season-long nine game hitting streak come to an end.