April 17, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Louisiana Tech looks to get back on the winning track as it concludes its eight-game West Coast swing with a four-game series against San Jose State, beginning Friday at San Jose's Municipal Stadium. Game times are set for 8 p.m. Central on Friday, 3 p.m. for Saturday's doubleheader, and 3 p.m. for a single game on Sunday.
The Bulldogs (15-18, 2-12 WAC) have lost seven in a row - all in league play - and currently sit in last place in the Western Athletic Conference. Tech finds itself in danger of missing its own conference tournament if it doesn't come up with some wins soon.
San Jose State (17-16, 8-11 WAC) stands sixth in the league, 3.5 games ahead of the Bulldogs. A Tech sweep this weekend would propel the Bulldogs into sixth place, possibly even fifth if New Mexico State is swept at home by Fresno State. However, anything less than a four-game sweep would keep the Bulldogs mired in last place.
The two teams have met three times already in 2008 with Louisiana Tech taking two of three at J.C. Love Field in Ruston. In fact, Tech's last win came in a 14-inning thriller in the second game of a March 29 doubleheader as the Bulldogs scored three times in the bottom of the 14th to post a 12-11 victory. San Jose won the first game of the series on Friday, 11-6, and Tech won the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, 7-2. Sunday's contest was rained out and will not be made up.
Friday's game will see Donaldsonville native Alex Richard (0-0, 4.80) get his first collegiate start as the sophomore righthander will face Spartan lefty David Berner (1-5, 5.68). Richard, who has been used as a reliever throughout his career, has three saves on the season. Berner faced the Bulldogs in Ruston on March 29 and was charged with the loss as he gave up seven runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings pitched.
Jericho Jones (5-2, 4.91) will get the start in Saturday's first game against San Jose lefthander Max Peterson (2-4, 5.76). Jones was lights-out against the Spartans on March 29, pitching 7.1 stellar innings in the first game of the doubleheader and allowing only two runs on six hits. He then played all 14 innings of the nightcap in right field, going 5-for-7 in the second contest with a pair of home runs including the tying two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth. Peterson got San Jose's only win in the three-game set in Ruston, pitching a five-inning gem in which he gave up only one run on three hits while striking out eight.
Saturday's second contest will pit Tech righthander Luke Burnett (0-3, 9.00) against the Spartans' Ryan Shopshire (5-1, 3.96). Burnett is still looking to recapture his 2007 form in which he led the WAC in strikeouts, but has been steadily improving throughout his last few appearances. Shopshire will be making just his third start of the season for the Spartans.
Tech junior Dylan Moseley (1-4, 5.68) will get the starting nod on Sunday against Spartan righty Scott Sobczak (3-1, 4.30). Moseley was scheduled to start the Sunday game against the Spartans in Ruston, but the persistent rain thought otherwise. Sobczak pitched 3.1 innings in the second game of the doubleheader in Ruston, giving up five runs on six hits.
All four games of the series can be heard on ESPN 97.7 FM (online at www.espn977.com) with the "Voice of the Bulldogs" Dave Nitz on the call. In addition, live stats will be available through the official site of Louisiana Tech athletics, www.latechsports.com.
