Louisiana Tech scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on April 26 to secure a 9-8 win over Missouri State University in the series finale at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
The game was significant as it marked a comeback victory for Louisiana Tech, who trailed by six runs entering the final inning. The Bulldogs improved their record to 27-18 overall and 14-7 in Conference USA, while Missouri State fell to 26-15 overall and also holds a conference record of 14-7.
Missouri State started strong with Brock Lucas delivering another solid pitching performance, carrying a shutout into the sixth inning and allowing just one run on two hits with five strikeouts over six innings. Carter Bergman hit his thirteenth home run of the season to give the Bears an early lead, which they maintained until Louisiana Tech tied it up with an RBI double in the sixth. The Bears then surged ahead with a five-run seventh inning, highlighted by contributions from Taeg Gollert, Max Knight, Bryce Cermenelli, Logan Fyffe, and Gabe Roessler.
Despite extending their lead to six runs after scoring twice more in the ninth, Missouri State could not hold off Louisiana Tech’s late rally. Sebastian Mexico delivered the winning single for Louisiana Tech following six consecutive hits that capped off their comeback.
Curry Sutherland, Fyffe and Roessler each collected two hits for Missouri State. Cermenelli doubled on his first pitch of the game to extend his hitting streak to 24 games—a mark that ties him for fourth-longest in program history alongside Jason Hart and Nick Kays.
Missouri State will continue its road trip with a game against Saint Louis scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m.
