Tech Falls 3-2 in Game One to Lumberjacks
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: March 15, 2013
RUSTON, La. (March 15, 2013) - Stephen F. Austin shortstop Hunter Dozier sent the first pitch he saw in the sixth inning over the left field fence for a three-run home run to give the Lumberjacks a 3-2 victory over Louisiana Tech Friday night at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston.
Tech starter Phil Maton pitched five scoreless innings with a 2-0 lead before Dozier took advantage of a first-pitch slider to give Stephen F. Austin (9-8) the win over LA Tech (5-14) in game one of the three-game series.
"I can take the way we pitched because Maton and (Caleb) Dudley pitched outstanding and we played great defense," head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "Our guys are playing good baseball. We just can't get into a flow offensively. Once we get that flow and start feeling good about ourselves, I think we will be better off."
Maton (3-1) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs - all earned - on five hits in seven innings of work. The right hander totaled nine strikeouts on the night to bring his season total to 40. Caleb Dudley came on in relief to start the eighth inning for Tech and pitched two innings of no-hit baseball while striking out one batter.
Right hander Chase Greening (2-1) earned the victory for the Lumberjacks after pitching seven complete innings and giving up two runs - one earned - on eight hits while striking out five. Green was relieved by Cass Ingvardsen and Cameron Gann, who each pitch one inning apiece. Gann (2) closed out the ninth inning for his second save of the season.
Stephen F. Austin began the sixth inning on a single through the left side by center fielder Jackson Hood followed by a walk to bring up Dozier who homered to left field to plate the only three runs of the night for the Lumberjacks.
The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the fourth inning off a two-out double to left field by Ryan Gebhardt followed by a single to right field by pinch hitter Bre'shon Kimbell to plate Gebhardt. Tech added a second run in the fifth on another two-out double to left field by Sam Alvis. Alvis reached third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielding error by the Lumberjacks.
The three-game series versus the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin will resume tomorrow at 3 p.m. at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
