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The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs’ stay in the NCAA Tournament didn’t last long.
Tech lost to Southeast Missouri State University, 9-3, in the finals of the Fayetteville Regional Tournament on Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
This came after the Bulldogs lost to Kansas State 19-4 in a game that was suspended Friday night because of inclement weather.
Tech, the Conference USA regular-season champion, finished the season with a 45-19 record.
The Bulldogs trailed by seven runs in the bottom of the fourth after a Carson Evans home run in the top of the third cut SEMO’s 2-0 lead to 2-1.
Tech added two more runs in the top of the fifth, and the Bulldogs had a chance in the eighth with the bases loaded and no outs, but couldn’t score.
Tech started the decisive fourth inning with a throwing error and a walk.
SEMO’s Ian Riley hit a two-run single, Brooks Kettering hit a one-run triple and Josh Cameron closed out the inning with a grand slam home run to center field.
Reed Smith was the losing pitcher, allowing six hits and three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.
SEMO starting pitcher Brian Strange allowed seven hits in 6 2/3 innings and earned the win.
Tech’s Dalton Davis was 2-for-5 at bat, while Adarius Myers had two RBIs.
When play resumed Saturday morning, Tech was trailing Kansas State, 9-4, in the top of the sixth inning. The Wildcats added a total of 10 runs over the next three innings.
Kansas State had 18 hits compared to Tech’s 6. Jaeden Parsons and Kalen Culpepper were both 4-for-5 with 4 RBI. Chuck Ingram hit two home runs and had 5 RBI.
Michael Ballard led Tech with two hits. The Bulldogs used six pitchers, with starter Luke Nichols taking the loss.
