Louisiana Tech Game Notes

RUSTON, La. - After a three-game road swing which saw the Diamond `Dogs go 2-1, Louisiana Tech returns home for a pair of midweek games on Tuesday night against Grambling State and Wednesday night against no. 9 Louisiana-Lafayette.

The Bulldogs split a pair of games against Arkansas State in Jonesboro over the weekend, as heavy snow wiped out the series finale that was originally scheduled for Sunday. Louisiana Tech will look to continue their winning ways at the Love Shack where the Bulldogs have won 18 of their last 19 games played.

Grambling State took two-of-three games in a conference series at SWAC-rival Southern this past weekend in Baton Rouge. The Tigers totaled 20 runs in the final two games of the series.

Offensively, Grambling State is led by Marshawn Taylor who is batting a team-high .358 on the season. He also leads the team with a .415 slugging percentage and .485 on-base percentage. Taylor is batting 90 points higher than the Tigers next leading hitter, Wesley Drain, who is hitting .268 on the year.

As a team, the Tigers are all about manufacturing offense. They have walked 85 times, stole 34 bases and have 20 sacrifice hits on the year.

Louisiana Tech will counter the Tigers' offense with senior right-hander Casey Sutton. Sutton, who was in the running to toss Sunday's finale against Arkansas State, will now take the hill on Tuesday night before sliding back into the rotation when the Bulldogs open Conference USA play with Southern Miss this weekend.

Lafayette is led by Alex Pinero who has team-highs with a .404 batting average, six doubles, 11 RBI, a .596 slugging percentage and a .408 on-base percentage.

As a team, the Cajuns have hit five home runs on the year and are averaging just under five runs a game. Lafayette also enters the matchup with a team ERA of 2.48 and 149 strikeouts in 120 innings.

Louisiana Tech as a team is averaging nearly nine runs a game as a team and has a team ERA of 3.09. The Bulldogs rank second in Conference USA with 18 bombs on the season, led by Chase Lunceford who has hit six to lead all C-USA hitters.

The pitching matchup for Wednesday's top-25 matchup has yet to be announced.

Both games are set for a 6 p.m. start and both will be streamed live on CUSA.TV ($). Both radio broadcasts will also be available on ESPN 97.7 F.M. in the Ruston area. For all the latest on Louisiana Tech Baseball, please follow @LATechBSB or visit the official home for Louisiana Tech Athletics at www.LATechSports.com.