Baseball Drops Sunday Finale to LA Tech, 5-1

Sunday, April 30

Ruston, La.

1:00 PM

Western Kentucky University

13-32, 4-17

Louisiana Tech

30-14, 11-10

WKU

Louisiana Tech

4/30/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Box Score (PDF) | Season Statistics

RUSTON, La. — Hunter Wood slashed his seventh homerun of the season - and second of the weekend - in WKU Baseball's 5-1 loss to Louisiana Tech on Sunday afternoon. The senior catcher also threw out his 19th runner of the season on a steal attempt, increasing his caught stealing rate to 36 percent (19-of-53) in 43 games.

It was a neck-and-neck ballgame through six, as the Hilltoppers and Bulldogs remained knotted at a 1-1 score. Wood took a 3-1 pitch over the left-center field wall with one out in the fourth frame to give the visitors a lead on the solo shot.

But back came LA Tech in the bottom half of the same inning, when a two-out double from Raphael Gladu scored Dalton Skelton. That marked the end of the day for WKU starter Jeff Ciocco, who gave up only that one run in 3.2 innings of work. Although the freshman allowed nine baserunners, he effectively worked around trouble in his first career Conference USA start.

The Bulldogs scored two in the seventh and then two again in the eighth against the Hilltoppers bullpen to take a 5-1 lead into the ninth. Colie Currie got on base in the final frame with a single through the right side, but he was doubled off on a line drive by Thomas Peter in the next at-bat to end the game.

Topper Notes
Over his last three appearances, Jeff Ciocco has thrown 15 innings while allowing only 18 baserunners (10 hits, five walks and 3 hit by pitch) and five earned runs. Kevin Elder took over for the freshman in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and two runners aboard, stranding them thanks to a nice sliding grab by center fielder Colie Currie. Elder completed two scoreless innings on the day.

What's Up Next
A home game awaits the Hilltoppers on Tuesday, their final midweek contest of the season with EKU coming to town for a 5 p.m. first pitch at Nick Denes Field.