RUSTON, La. – Following up on a highly successful senior campaign with Louisiana Tech, Mason Mallard will take his talents to the next level, as the Whitehouse, Texas, native signed a free-agent contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday morning.
 
"It's always been a dream of mine to play professionally and I'm so thankful for this opportunity," said Mallard. "I'm most thankful first and foremost to God and also the people at Louisiana Tech who helped support me and help me reach my goals. I'm extremely excited for this next chapter of my life, and I'll always be grateful to Louisiana Tech and the opportunities it afforded me."
 
Mallard, a 2019 First Team All-Conference USA selection, becomes the second Bulldog to ink his name with a professional organization this season, after LHP David Leal was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 38^th round last week, and signed his contract on Monday.
 
"We are so proud of Mason for getting this well-deserved opportunity," head coach Lane Burroughs remarked. "His numbers this year were staggering with an OPS over 1000 (1.015) – that's doing work. He's a hard-working, humble young man who has had to persevere through injuries and a heavy academic load to get to this point. He played out of position this season to help our club offensively and was remarkable. That embodies what our program is all about – putting the team first before his own personal agenda."
 
This past season, Mallard led the team in batting average (.374), slugging percentage (.545), on-base percentage (.470), runs (65 – most by a Bulldog in a single season since 2007), hits (83 – tied for 6^th most in program history), total bases (121) and stolen bases (20-for-26, 45 career – 7^th most in program history).
 
He was named C-USA Hitter of the Week on May 13^th and twice named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) Hitter of the Week. Mallard also picked up national honors as Collegiate Baseball recognized the senior as one of its National Players of the Week on May 13^th.
 
His 83 hits ranked 25^th among national leaders. The Tech first baseman also owned the team's longest reached –base streak of 36 games, while starting all 58 games at first base, after only playing outfield his entire baseball career.
 
Mallard put together a career performance against one of Tech's biggest in-state foes, going 4-for-5 with three doubles, three RBI and four runs scored in the Bulldogs' 12-1 dismantling of then No. 15 LSU in Baton Rouge back on May 7^th.
 
"Mason is so strong in his faith and stayed the course after not being drafted," Burroughs continued. "This young man is special and will be successful no matter where his journey takes him."