April 25, 2011
Game Notes
RUSTON, La. - The Louisiana Tech baseball team returns from their eight-game road trip and will play a pair of midweek games before hosting Nevada this weekend. The Bulldogs play host to Grambling State Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. before traveling to Northwestern State for a game Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs have struggled this season offensively as the team has hit .266 through 40 games. At this same point last season, Tech had posted a .333 average. Mark Threlkeld and Kyle Roliard lead the club with a .313 average while Ryan Gebhardt checks in with a .293 average.
As a staff, Louisiana Tech has improved their team earned average to just under five runs a game. In 341.1 innings pitched, Tech has posted 260 strikeouts to just 176 walks. Mike Jefferson has a team-best 2.98 ERA while Caleb Dudley anchors the bullpen with a 3-2 record and six saves on the season in 20 appearances.
Dave Nitz will provide play-by-play commentary for the game at Northwestern State. Fans can listen within the greater Ruston area on ESPN 97.7 or log on and listen via LA Tech All-Access.
ON DECK
After wrapping up their eight-game roadtrip, the Bulldogs return home to J.C. Love Field for 12 of their next 13 games. Tech will play a pair of midweek games next week beginning Tuesday at home against Grambling State before traveling to Northwestern State on Wednesday.
GREEK NIGHT
Tuesday night's game will mark Greek Night for Louisiana Tech. All Greek organizations are encouraged to come to the game wearing their letters. The fraternity or sorority with the most participation will be awarded the Greek Cup. Additionally, all Greek members will be recognized at the game and one lucky winner will take home a prize pack valued at over $100 courtesy of LA Tech Athletics.
QUICK HITS
• Tuesday will mark the 19th meeting between Grambling and LA Tech.
• Wednesday will mark the 144th meeting between Northwestern and LA Tech.
• Tech has posted a 14-5 record at J.C. Love Field this season.
• Tech has won 20 of their last 25 games at J.C. Love Field.
• The five shutouts from Tech this season are the most since Tech had six in 1990.
• Tech's 3-0 win over Hawai'i on Sunday (4/17) marked the first time that Tech had won a game with four hits or less since Feb. 23, 2007 vs. ULM.
• The shutout against Hawai'i was also the first time Tech had shutout an opponent on the road since March 11, 2005 when Tech knocked off Nicholls State, 1-0.
• Tech is 13-1 this season when leading after eight innings.
• Tech is 158-7 since the 2004 season when leading after eight innings.
• Tech is 2-19 this season when trailing after eight innings.
• Tech has featured 31 different starting lineups in 40 games this season.
• Tech is 2-1 this season in extra innings games.
• Tech has picked off 10 runners to lead the WAC.
• Tech is hitting .307 at home while hitting .229 on the road.
• Joey Ford has tallied 14 multi-hit games this season.
• Will Alvis ranks second in the WAC with seven home runs.
• The five home runs allowed by the Bulldogs' pitching staff are the fewest in the WAC.
• Mark Threlkeld ranks third in the WAC with 12 doubles.
• Threlkeld ranks amongst the WAC leaders in 12 offensive categories.
• Clint Ewing has been hit by eight pitches this year, ranking third in the WAC.
• Ryan Gebhardt ranks sixth the WAC with six sacrifice bunts.
• Caleb Dudley leads the WAC with 20 appearances on the mound.
• Mike Jefferson leads the WAC with seven pickoffs on the season.
• Jefferson is the only pitcher in the WAC (1.0 IP/ per game) that hasn't allowed a home run.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Grambling State enters the week with a 17-20 record and a 10-8 mark against teams in the SWAC, ranking second in the western division behind Southern. The Tigers are hitting .282 as a team and are led by Eldred Barnett's .371 batting average. As a staff, the Tigers have posted a 7.88 ERA and have walked 214 batters to just 171 strikeouts.
SCOUTING THE DEMONS
Northwestern State enters the week with a 15-26 record and a 5-16 mark against Southland Conference opponents. As a team, the Demons are hitting .264 with Colin Bear leading the charge with a .340 average.
Jacob Roark will get the start for the Demons and has posted a 1-2 record with 6.07 ERA this season. Earlier this season against the Bulldogs, Roark allowed three runs on four hits in 4.0 innings of work while issuing four walks and striking out three batters.
