RUSTON, La. (Interstat) — Declan Dahl struck out seven over five innings and Casey McCoy drove in both runs as Louisiana Tech defeated Sam Houston 2-1 in a Conference USA game Thursday at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

McCoy homered to center field in the fifth inning to tie the game at 1, then added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Wesley Scott, who went 3 for 4. Jeric Curtis homered to deep right field in the third inning for the Bearkats’ only run.

Dahl allowed two hits and one earned run, walking none. Sam Houston pitchers Ryan Peterson (four scoreless innings, three strikeouts) and Jonathan Anders (three scoreless innings, two strikeouts) combined for seven shutout frames, but the Bearkats managed only three hits. Thomas Allen and Luke Nichols each tossed two scoreless innings in relief for the Bulldogs. Colton Coates added two hits for Louisiana Tech.

The Bulldogs improved to 32-22 overall. Sam Houston fell to 23-31. The teams continue the series Friday.