RUSTON, La. - After polishing off its second-consecutive Conference USA series win, the Louisiana Tech baseball team returns to action this Tuesday night, taking on in-state foe McNeese in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Tech (19-7, 5-1 C-USA) captured a pair of road triumphs over the UAB Blazers this past weekend, improving to 19 -7 (most wins in C-USA) and 5-1 in league play, good for sole possession of first place in the league standings. The Bulldogs split the first two meetings over the weekend, before capturing a grueling 12-inning rubber match on Sunday.

Sophomore reliever Kyle Griffen (2-0) played the hero in that Sunday finale, tossing 6.2 innings of shutout relief. The left-hander allowed just two hits, and retired 18-consecutive batters at one point.

For the season, Tech's pitching staff has posted an ERA of 2.08 - second best in the nation, and best among all C-USA teams (more than a full run better that second place - UAB at 3.13).

Mason Mallard and Hunter Wells drove the Tech offense, that scored 28 runs in five games last week. Mallard went 7-for-16 (.467) with a team-high 14 total bases and five RBI. Mallard was also a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen bases, and is a perfect 11-for-11 in thievery this season. Meanwhile, Wells, went 9-for-20 as the Tech leadoff man, and posted an on-base-percentage of .560. The two combined to score 11 runs and drove home nine RBI.

This season, when Tech scores three or more runs, the team is 19-1.

The Bulldogs remain one of the hottest teams in the country, having won 14 of its last 17 contests, dating back to the start of the Frisco College Baseball Classic.

Tech and McNeese (9-14, 6-3 Southland) faced off once earlier this season, back on February 20, where the 'Dogs took a 5-1 victory in Ruston. All-time, Tech owns a 72-44 edge over the Cowboys.

McNeese dropped two of three to conference-foe Nicholls the weekend, but before that, the Cowboys swept Stephen F. Austin and took two of three over Central Arkansas.

The Cowboys are led offensively by Shane Selman, who has posted a team-best .314 batting average along with 17 RBI and 53 total bases. On the mound, McNeese has registered a team ERA of 5.10, while walking 103 and striking out 190.

Tuesday's pitching matchup will feature David Leal (2-0, 1.23 ERA, 36.2 IP, 35 K, 2 BB) on the mound for the Bulldogs, with fellow southpaw, Austin Briggs (0-0, 7.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 6 K, 6 BB) set to make his first start of the 2018 season.

Tuesday night's game is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on SportsTalk 97.7 FM with Dave Nitz on the call.

For more information on Louisiana Tech Baseball please follow @LATechBSB on Twitter or visit the official home for Louisiana Tech Athletics at www.LATechSports.com.