Marshall University Athletics
HERD FALLS 15-2 TO LOUISIANA TECH
4/20/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BECKLEY, W.Va.-The Thundering Herd baseball team fell 15-2 to Louisiana Tech Friday in its first game at Linda K. Epling Stadium. 12 walks and five hit batters was too much for Marshall to overcome as an injury riddled bullpen forced The Herd to use outfielder Jaren Lovely as a pitcher for three innings.
The loss moves Marshall to 17-18 (5-11 C-USA) on the season. Louisiana Tech improved to 27-13 (11-5 C-USA).
Peter Hutzal led the way offensively for The Herd. The second baseman had two hits, a run, and both of Marshall's RBIs, one of which was a solo home run. Freshman Cameron Collet earned the first hit of his career in the eighth inning.
Starting pitcher Brad O'Connor picked up the loss to move to 3-4 on the season. The senior pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing eight hits, seven runs (four earned), and striking out three with four walks. The Bulldog's Matt Miller earned the win going five innings and allowing five hits, one run (earned), and striking out four batters with four walks.
Louisiana Tech scored first in the top of the second inning to take a 2-0 lead.
Hutzal responded with his solo home run in the bottom of the inning to make it a 2-1 game.
The Bulldogs would go on to score runs in five straight innings, putting up three runs in the third, two in the fourth, three in the fifth, four in the sixth, and one in the seventh.
The Herd put up its only other run of the game in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Hutzal that scored Steven Nice from third base and gave La. Tech the 15-2 win.
Marshall finished the day with two runs off of nine hits with three errors. Louisiana Tech racked up 15 runs off 15 hits with no errors.
Up next The Herd will be looking for revenge as it takes on The Bulldogs Saturday at 1 p.m.
