RUSTON, LA—Louisiana Tech catcher Tyler Qualls belted a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 12th for a 9-6 C-USA victory over the Monarchs in game one of a doubleheader today. Game two is currently on STAR1310 Radio with Ted Alexander.
The Monarchs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Josh Eldridge singled, followed by PJ Higgins with a hit. Ben Slaton doubled home Eldridge and Josiah Burney doubled home Ben Slaton and Higgins.
LA Tech rallied to take a 4-3 lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly RBI by Kurt Johnson. Later in the inning Colby Johnson doubled home Bre’shon Kimbell and Stephen Grandy. .
In the Monarch seventh Josiah Burney homers with Ben Slaton who was hit by a pitch and PJ Higgins who reached on a walk board.
The Monarchs had a chance to add runs in the ninth after Eldridge singled, and Slaton was intentionally walked, but the Bulldogs got a double-play as Conner Myers struckout and Eldridge was thrown out trying to steal third.
The ODU 11th had Nick Walker reaching on a walk, and Brian Beard singling. PJ Higgins was then walked by reliever Galbraith to load the bases, but Ben Slaton flew to center and LA Tech outfielder Taylor Nichols threw out Walker at the plate.
In the LA Tech 12th Jones singled, followed by a walk to Ervine and Qualls then hit an 0-2 pitch over the rightfield wall to win the game. ODU is now 2-3 in extra-inning games thus far this season.
PJ Higgins led the Monarchs with three hits and scored twice, while Josiah Burney had two hits with five RBI. Josh Eldridge also had two hits. LA Tech was led by Tyler Qualls and Ryan Jones with three hits each. Burney had two hits and five RBI while Eldridge also had two hits.
ODU 300 000 300 000=6-11-2
LATECH000 130 020 003=9-12-0
ODU Roberts, Diaz(5), Benitez(7),Gero (7), Overton(8), Yarbrough (11) and Perez ;LA TECH: Derouen, Keating(5), Dunbar(8), Galbraith(11) and J. Derouen, Qualls
HR: Burney (4) Qualls (1)
WP Laetten Galbraith (2-2) LP; Ryan Yarbrough (1-4)