RUSTON, La. – Following up on a successful three-game home sweep of Arkansas State this past weekend, the Louisiana Tech baseball team will wrap up its four-game homestand on Tuesday, hosting in-state foe Northwestern State at 4 p.m. from J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
 
The Bulldogs (9-2) own a four-game winning streak heading into Tuesday's contest, and are a perfect 4-0 against in-state opponents in 2019. Northwestern State (5-4) comes into town after taking two of three from Little Rock this past weekend, and are winners of three of their last four games.
 
Tuesday's first pitch was originally scheduled for 6 p.m., but a decision was made to bump the start up a couple hours to 4 p.m. due to frigid evening temperature projections.
 
"We've got a tough game tomorrow night, head coach Lane Burroughs remarked. "Bobby (Barbier) has got those guys playing really well. Their program is in great shape after going to a regional last year, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
 
Last season, the Bulldogs and Demons split a pair of decisions, with the road team coming out on top in each game. Northwestern State took the first matchup, 6-4, in 10 innings, and then Tech claimed a 6-3 win in Natchitoches a few weeks later.
 
The Bulldogs have won eight of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs, dating back to the 2014 season.
 
The Tech offense has continued its timely hitting and production through its first 11 games, buoyed by the efforts of senior first baseman Mason Mallard, who leads the team, and ranks sixth among Conference USA leaders with a .405 batting average. Mallard has hit safely in all but two games this season and ranks second on the team with five multi-hit games this year.
 
Fellow senior Mason Robinson leads the Bulldogs with seven multi-hit games and his .362 batting average is second-best behind Mallard.
 
The Bulldogs have scored 89 runs through their first 11 games, which is the second-most in C-USA and ranks 24^th nationally.
 
Tech is slated to throw junior right-hander Bryce Fagan (0-0, 27.00 ERA, 0.2 IP, 0 K, 3 BB), making his first start for the Bulldogs, while Northwestern State will counter with right-hander Cullen McDonald (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 3 K, 0 BB).
 
Tuesday's game will be streamed live on CUSA.tv (subscription required) and will be broadcast on KNBB 97.7 FM or through the LA Tech X Mobile App with Teddy Allen on the call.
 
Be sure to follow @LATechBSB on Twitter for live in-game updates, news, facts and more on the 2019 Diamond Dogs.