RUSTON, La. – Wichita State jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three and a half innings, but Louisiana Tech rattled off the next seven runs to seize a 7-3 win in the season opener at Pat Patterson Park on Friday night.
 
The Shockers (0-1) drew first blood in the top of the fourth. After a single from Garrett Kocis and a Xavier Casserilla double started the frame, Ross Cadena poked a one-out single through the right side to put Wichita State in front, 1-0. Couper Cornblum followed by hooking a double into the left field corner, bringing in two for a 3-0 advantage.
 
Wichita State starter Jace Kaminska had allowed just two singles through three scoreless innings, but ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth. A single and a walk began the inning, and one batter later Jorge Corona lifted a three-run homer to left-center, tying the game at 3-3.
 
The Bulldogs (1-0) moved in front in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and runners at first and second, Steele Netterville hit a soft one-hop ground ball to deep shortstop. The throw to first base was late, allowing Taylor Young to score all the way from second for a 4-3 lead. Louisiana Tech added to the cushion in the bottom of the seventh with three more tallies, scratching across one courtesy of a Cole McConnell sacrifice fly and two more on a single from Corona combined with a WSU error.

Jonathan Fincher (1-0) picked up the win for the Bulldogs, allowing three runs over five innings of work, while reliever Cade Gibson notched the save with four spotless innings and seven strikeouts. 

LJ McDonough (0-1) took the loss for Wichita State, surrendering the go-ahead run in the fifth. Adam Ketelsen made his Shocker debut with 1.2 innings out of the bullpen, while subsequent reliever Foster Gifford tossed an inning and a third.
 
Cornblum, Kocis, and Brock Rodden each finished with two hits apiece, as Wichita State out-hit the Bulldogs, 10-8.

The series continues Saturday afternoon with game two at 2:00 pm.