In its game against Ole Miss on Wednesday, Louisiana Tech’s baseball team took a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning. The Bulldogs didn’t allow a run once taking the lead but still managed to lose the game. What happened? Louisiana Tech got unlucky and suffered a loss in an absolutely crushing way.
Trailing 4-3 heading into the seventh inning, the Bulldogs scored twice in the top half of the inning. Ethan Bates tied the game with a sacrifice fly and Dalton Davis delivered an RBI double, which brought home Brody Drost with the go-ahead run.
Then, Mother Nature threw her hat into the ring in a decidedly pro-Ole Miss way. With two on and two outs in the top of the seventh inning, lightning came in, causing a delay.
It initially seemed as though the game would restart, but the bad weather persisted. Eventually, the game was called. As is the case in Major League Baseball, games become official after five innings (or 4.5 if the home team is leading). Also like MLB, when a game is called early, the score goes back to what it was when the last full inning was complete.
In this case, that meant that Louisiana Tech’s two runs in the top of the seventh inning didn’t count and the Rebels’ 4-3 lead after six innings stood as the final score.
Wow. Ole Miss and La Tech won’t resume after all.
Bulldogs took a 5-4 lead T7, but due to the weather cancellation the score reverts back to the last complete inning, which Ole Miss led 4-3.
The teams split the midweek set. https://t.co/twa4k8h6Km
— SEC Baseball (@SECbaseball) March 2, 2023
Louisiana Tech’s athletic department put out a statement. In it, it acknowledged that “While we were in total agreement of the decision to delay play due to the weather, we are disappointed our student-athletes will not have a chance to determine the outcome on the field at a later date.” The statement also said, “The Rebels head coach said his administration would not allow him to resume the game.”
A statement from the LA Tech Athletics department pic.twitter.com/mnrlqaWWjy
— Diamond Dogs (@LATechBSB) March 2, 2023
Public sentiment was generally with Louisiana Tech on this one.
Yes! Light them up! https://t.co/rz5ipkpDIf pic.twitter.com/qdKYsUPdGW
— local bIogger (@fergoe) March 2, 2023
— Skippers Dugout (@SkippersDugout) March 2, 2023
Absolutely the right call to enter into weather delay protocols, but hate it that our guys won’t get a chance to drive back to Oxford to complete the 9 innings. Proud of the fight @LaneBurroughs23 & @LATechBSB…on to the next one! #DominateTheElements😡😤🧹 https://t.co/aftfgnCI1B
— Eric A. Wood, Ed.D (@EWOOD_AD) March 2, 2023
The Diamond Dogs Ain’t Happy https://t.co/vYYx1HWCDS
— Mintzy (@BarstoolMintzy) March 2, 2023
This is insane.
The Ole Miss Administration and Mike Bianco are cowards and have no faith in their team. https://t.co/45M1nqXecK— Right Field Dawgs (@RF_Dawgs) March 2, 2023
Crazy. https://t.co/Oo7QaKY4DH
— Randy Heitz (@Rjheitz1077) March 2, 2023
[SEC Baseball, Louisiana Tech Baseball]