Bulldogs Can't Overcome Early Miscues at Baylor
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: March 5, 2013
WACO, Texas (March 5, 2013) - Louisiana Tech couldn't overcome four errors committed leading to three runs in the bottom of the first inning as the Bulldogs dropped a 4-2 decision at Baylor Ballpark in Waco Tuesday night.
Three of the four errors by Louisiana Tech (3-9) came in one at bat with Tech's defense dropping two foul pop-ups. Baylor (6-6) capitalized, scoring three of its four runs in the first frame and tacking on an insurance run in the fifth inning.
"I thought our guys fought hard after that disastrous first inning," said Louisiana Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux. "We had our opportunities, but we are still hitting line drives right at people and those are going to start falling for us."
Josh Michalec (1-1) was credited with the win for the Bears, walking two and striking out two in 1.1 innings in relief while not allowing a hit. Ryan Smith (3) earned the save after holing Tech hitless in the final 2.2 innings.
Ben Carlisle (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs - two earned - on three hits while walking two and striking out two in 4.1 innings on the mound. Carlisle settled down after the rocky start, retiring 11 consecutive batters over four innings.
"I thought Carlisle really responded well [after the first inning], and stuck with it," Simoneaux added. "A lesser man would fold after something like that because it was a circus in the first inning. He has not pitched a lot for us, but Ben did an outstanding job out there for us tonight."
Colby Johnson led Tech offensively as he reached base three times on a base hit and a pair of walks, scoring one run. Thomas Simoneaux added Tech's other run while going 1-for-2 from the plate. Both of the Bulldog runs were scored in the third inning.
Baylor was led by Nathan Orf's 2-for-4 night with a run scored.
Orf came to the plate with a runner on in the bottom of the first inning as Tech's defense dropped two pop-up foul balls by Bre'shon Kimbell and Kyle Arnsberg in the at bat. Orf finally straightened out a hit, lacing a single to left field and advancing to third on a fielding error by Kody Neel, scoring Logan Brown who led the inning off with a walk. Orf would score on a wild pitch before Cal Towey was hit by a pitch to reach base. Duncan Wendel then singled to right center and moved to second on a fielding error by Johnson for the Bulldogs' fourth error of the frame and allowing Towey to reach third.
Jake Miller fouled out to Kimbell in right field for a sacrifice fly RBI as Towey scored and Wendel advanced to third. After Matt Menard walked, Brett Doe laid down a bunt down the first base line but Tyler Ervine charged in and threw home for the out as Arnsberg tagged the lead runner to prevent another run. Doe was thrown out at second on a Jimmy Landes fielder's choice to end the inning with Baylor leading 3-0.
After their initial struggles, Carlisle and the Tech defense settled down and held a powerful Baylor offense at bay most of the rest of the game.
The Bulldogs charged back in the top of the third as Johnson singled to left field, sending Thomas Simoneaux to second with one out. After an Arnsberg strike out, Taylor Terrasses hit a two-run stand-up double to left to score both Johnson and Simoneaux.
The Bears would add an insurance run in the fifth off of an RBI ground out by Towey.
Tech stranded seven runners over the course of the game, leaving five runners on board over the fourth through seventh innings.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday for the second game in the two-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT at Baylor Ballpark.
