Bulldogs don't flinch in win over Nicholls

Louisiana Tech carried the momentum from its top-25 series win over Dallas Baptist back home for a 10-7 win over Nicholls on Wednesday.

With 15 hits, including three home runs, the Bulldogs (30-13) won their sixth midweek game in a row - responding from what looked like early as a night marred by another lackluster midweek start.

From up 4-0 entering the 3rd to down 5-4 after the top half, the Bulldogs needed a response in a hurry to keep a down inning from spiraling. Connor Nation's day was done after allowing two home runs to the Colonels and the visitors were feeling it, thinking this was the moment they'd take the win for themselves.

But the thing is, with a lineup like the Bulldogs have, there was was no panic in head coach Lane Burroughs and his team. If anything, Nicholls was treated to the true fury Tech's bats can unleash.

In a blink of an eye, Michael Ballard led off the 3rd with a single. Adarius Myers then had his own single. Two batters later, Grant Comeaux's HBP loaded the bases. With just one out down, the moment was right there for the Bulldogs after what was a rough top half of the frame. Dalton Davis delivered, blasting a 368-foot grand slam out to left - his 5th HR of the season - to get the Bulldogs back in front 8-5.

"It's one of those nights in the Love Shack - the ball's flying," Burroughs said postgame. "They got Alvarez over there and some of their hitters and they can jump the yard at any moment and that's what made it so stressful. It was good to see Ballard get us going with the homer and then unfortunately they hit the five spot. But Dalton Davis with the grand slam. Huge. Huge for us to get us back in the lead."

Tech was led by Myers (4-5), Cole McConnell (3-5, 1 RBI), Davis (1-4, 5 RBI), and Kasten Furr (2-4, 2 RBI) at the plate - all contributing at least one extra-base hit.

Perhaps the biggest sign this year's Bulldogs - especially the bats they have - are different than last year was when Nicholls turned to regular weekend starter Jacob Mayers.

The last time the Bulldogs faced Mayers, Feb. 26, 2023, he went 5 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 11 as part of Nicholls' 8-0 win.

Wednesday night? Not so much. Mayers didn't last an inning, exiting after giving up 4 hits, 2 ER in the 5th. Furr roped a 358-foot HR to left for a 9-6 Tech lead, only for Jorge Corona's 11th double of the season scored McConnell for a 10-6 lead, forcing Mayers to exit.

"They don't play this weekend so they're able to throw all their weekend guys. But that's OK. We went to Arizona and saw great arms. We saw great arms at DBU," Burroughs said. "Mayers comes out - that's a big-leaguer - and he's up to 97 [mph] and I thought our guys did a good job against him. Cole got the big hit and Jorge got the double off the wall. Ethan had the squibber but it counts and we were able to get him out of there. I feel like our guys are in a great spot."

Burroughs specifically highlighted Furr's plate approach on the night - with Furr on a five-game hit streak with 5 RBI in that span.

"Huge. Huge," Burroughs said of Furr's night. "He's been pressing a lot. I tell you what else was huge was he's had some trouble with pop ups and we worked on that with him and he had three tonight. Sometimes some stuff gets in your head. He's back home and it was good to see him hit that homer and have a good night at the plate."

Tech's early 4-0 lead came courtesy of a solo HR from Michael Ballard and RBI singles from McConnell and Furr, along with a sac fly from Davis in the 2nd inning.

The win was Tech's 10th game with at least 10 runs and ninth game with at least 14 hits.

On the mound, Grant Hubka went 2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs while striking out 4 batters. Blake Hooks pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing just a single hit to go with a pair of strikeouts. The usual back-end duo of Sam Broderson and Ethan Bates finished the job, with Bates' collecting his 12th save of the year.

"It's that time of year where great teams go this way and the average teams die on the vine," Burroughs said. "I feel like tonight our team took another step forward."

Tech will be back in action at home this weekend for a three-game series against Sam Houston (24-17, 7-8 CUSA). First pitch for Friday is set for 6 p.m.