April 28, 2011

Game Notes

RUSTON, La. - Coming off a midweek sweep against Grambling and Northwestern, Louisiana Tech returns home to J.C. Love Field this weekend to open their final 11-game homestand of the 2011 season beginning Friday night at 6 p.m. against the Wolf Pack of Nevada. The two teams will meet for a doubleheader beginning Saturday at 1 p.m. and will play the series finale Sunday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.

Mark Threlkeld leads the Bulldogs with a .312 batting average but freshman Colby Johnson has come on strong as of late for Tech as he has made the most of his 41 at-bats this season by posting a .390 batting average and a current six-game hitting streak (12-for-20, .600).

Mike Jefferson has been extremely effective against WAC foes as he has posted a team-best 1.21 ERA allowing just three earned runs in 22.1 innings of work in conference action. Sophomore Caleb Dudley has made a WAC-leading 21 appearances this season while tallying seven saves and three wins to anchor the Tech bullpen.

Dave Nitz will provide play-by-play commentary for all four games this weekend. Fans can listen within the greater Ruston area on KXKZ 107.5 on Friday night, ESPN 97.7 for games two and four and KRUS 1490 for game three. Fans can also log on and listen via LA Tech All-Access.

ON DECK
The Bulldogs will continue their 11-game homestand with a midweek game on Tuesday against the Mavericks of UT Arlington. Tech will then wrap up the home conference portion of the schedule with a four-game set against 13th-ranked Fresno State beginning May 6.

QUICK HITS
• Friday will mark the 48th meeting between the two programs.
• Tech has posted a 10-37 record in the all-time series.
• Tech has posted a 15-5 record at J.C. Love Field this season.
• Tech has won 21 of their last 26 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 14-1 this season when leading after eight innings.
• Tech is 159-7 since the 2004 season when leading after eight innings.
• Tech has featured 33 different starting lineups in 42 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 .310 at home while hitting .232 on the road.
• Colby Johnson has hit safely in his last six games (12-for-20, .600).
• 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 second in the WAC with 13 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.
• Caleb Dudley leads the WAC with 21 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 WOLF PACK
Nevada (15-20, 4-3 WAC) enters the week after sweeping a four-game set at home against New Mexico State. In similar fashion with the Bulldogs, the Wolf Pack have struggled to a tune of a 2-14 record in away games this season. As a team, Nevada has posted a .264 batting average and a staff ERA of 5.51.

Two-way player and senior standout Brock Stassi leads the Pack with a .350 batting average this season with 12 doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI. Joe Kohan has turned in a .336 average while posting a team-high 21 RBI. In 298.2 innings pitched, the Nevada staff has issued 127 walks while fanning 189 batters. Additionally, the Wolf Pack have give up 14 home runs, 13 triples and 75 doubles this season.

RADIO CHANGE FOR NEVADA SERIES
Friday's series opener against Nevada, which was originally scheduled to air on ESPN 97.7, will now be broadcasted on KXKZ 107.5 FM.

Games two and four of the series will be aired on ESPN 97.7 as scheduled and game three of the series will air live on KRUS 1490. Pregame shows for all four games will begin 15 minutes prior to the scheduled first pitch of each game.