May 13, 2009
RUSTON -- Louisiana Tech will wrap up its regular season with a four-game series versus New Mexico State beginning Thursday with a doubleheader slated for 1 p.m. at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
Following the doubleheader, the two teams will meet for a single game on Friday set for 6 p.m. The series and the regular season will conclude with a 1 p.m. single game on Saturday.
"New Mexico State's stats speak volumes as to what they can do on the field," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "We really have our work cut out for us. We are going to have to try to outscore them and prevent them from having big innings."
The Aggies come into the series at an overall record of 39-13. Currently, they are fourth in the Western Athletic Conference at a record of 10-10. Last weekend, they dropped three of four games at home against league leader San Jose State. Of their position starters, seven are batting .350 or higher. Shortstop Bryan Marquez has accounted for 21 of the team's 108 home runs. He leads the nation with 80 RBI.
As of May 10, New Mexico State led the nation in scoring (11.5 runs per game), total runs (597) and base on balls (369). At the time, they ranked second in hits (670), home runs (108) and slugging percentage (.616).
"Our players know what is on the line," Simoneaux said. "It does not matter how the other teams in our conference fare. We have to take care of our business."
The Bulldogs (26-18, 11-9 WAC) go into the final series of the season having a chance to win the conference regular season title. They are only one game behind first place San Jose State, who holds a conference record of 11-7. For Tech to win the conference regular season title, they need to win two more games this weekend than the Spartans.
San Jose State is hosting third place Nevada at home starting Friday.
Last season, the Bulldogs and Aggies split their four-game series at Presley Askew Field in Las Cruces, N.M. Going into the upcoming series, New Mexico State holds a one-game advantage over LA Tech in the head-to-head series, 8-7.
Jeb Stefan (4-5, 6.86 ERA) will start game one of Thursday's doubleheader. In Stefan's last start at Hawai'i, the right-hander struck out a career-high 12 Rainbows in 7 2/3 innings. He also allowed only five hits and one earned run. Right-hander Jared Jordan (7-2, 5.14 ERA) will start for New Mexico State. The junior gave up 12 runs (all earned) on 12 hits and four walks last week against the Spartans.
John Anderson (6-2, 5.04 ERA) will toe the rubber in the second game of the doubleheader. The native of Shreveport, La. leads Bulldog starters in earned run average and wins. He will oppose right-hander Daniel Simon (8-1, 5.16 ERA), who also leads his staff in wins. Simon received his first loss of the year last week after he gave up 13 runs (all earned) in 2 1/3 innings.
Tech's lone senior on its pitching staff, Dylan Moseley (4-3, 5.54 ERA), will start for the 41st time of his Bulldog career on Friday. In his last outing at Hawai'i, he pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up seven hits, four runs (all earned) and walked one, while striking out three. New Mexico State will attempt to counter with right-hander Sebastien Vendette (7-1, 5.38 ERA). The senior has compiled the most innings pitching (80 1/3) and strikeouts (62) on the team.
Bulldog Casey Jones (3-0, 6.32 ERA) is scheduled to start the final game of the regular season on Saturday. Of his 14 appearances this season, six have come as a starter. In those starts, he is 2-0 with a 6.20 ERA. Right-hander Tyler Sturdevant (5-5, 7.27 ERA) will oppose Jones. He last appeared in game three against the Spartans and allowed 14 runs (12 earned) in 4 2/3 innings.
Also on Saturday, Tech's six seniors, Matt Combs, Nick Grunenwald, Chris Kersten, Moseley, Patrick Thomas and Kevin Winn, will take the field one final time at home as part of Senior Day.
Thursday's doubleheader can be heard on KPCH 99.3 FM or online at www.thepeach993.com. Nick White will call game one and Sean Fox, both from ESPN 97.7's "Fox and Company," will call game two. White will bring fans game three on Friday on ESPN 97.7 FM. An audio feed will also be available online at www.espn977.com. White or Fox will call the series finale on Saturday on KPCH 99.3 FM. An audio feed will also be available online at www.thepeach993.com.
Fans can watch all four games for free by logging on to www.latechtv.com. Once the Web site loads, click on the "Athletics" tab along the top of the page.
Live stats will be available all series long at the online home of Louisiana Tech athletics, www.latechsports.com.
