RUSTON, La. – After head coach Lane Burroughs challenged his team earlier in the week, the Bulldogs responded with three strong, high-energy practices over the weekend at Ruston High School Baseball Field.
 
Senior Manny Garcia helped his squad continue its winning ways all weekend long, capping off another 3-0 weekend to give the team he plays on a perfect record through three weekends of intra-squad scrimmages.
 
Garcia kicked off the weekend with two doubles, a single and four RBI in Friday's game. Friday's contest ended in a 6-6 tie, which included a long flyout to center field to close out the game. Senior Taylor Young drove fellow senior Kyle Griffen's pitch to the wall in center, but yet another senior, Parker Bates, tracked the ball to deliver the final out.
 
On Saturday, Garcia, Bates, sophomore Ben Brantley and senior Hunter Wells led the Bulldogs at the plate with each player tallying at least one extra-base hit. Bates tallied a home run, two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored, while Brantley smacked a towering home run of his own. Wells went 4-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored.
 
Redshirt sophomore Bryce Wallace also tallied a 4-for-5 day at the dish with a double and an RBI in Saturday's game.
 
On Sunday, senior Steele Netterville's three-run home run served as the difference with the Red Team notching a 7-4 victory. Netterville's home run into the wind broke a 4-4 tie late in the contest.
 
"The most impressive thing about his home run was that the north wind was howling, and there were some guys that leaned on some balls but didn't get it out," Burroughs said. "You had to really get ahold of one, and he cut it. Anytime Steele plays there's a strength factor, and that was the huge hit of the day."
 
Aside from hitting for power, Burroughs said the Bulldogs played well defensively and worked many quality at-bats throughout the weekend. Batters also drew double-digit hit-by-pitches across the three games over the weekend.

Burroughs on Friday's game:
"I thought everybody that stepped on the mound Friday was good. [Ryan] Jennings was really good and efficient with three pitches for strikes. He set the tone right of out the gate. [Casey] Ouellette was lights out. Greg Martinez pitched well. Friday's game ended in a tie with three savvy veterans in the mix. Taylor Young was at the plate, Kyle Griffen was on the mound and Parker Bates caught it at the wall in center field. I thought the whole weekend was outstanding. The energy was good all the way around."
 
Burroughs on Saturday's game:
"In Saturday's game, Parker went bananas. Bryce Wallace went 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Wells will kill you softly, and he went 4-for-5 with a triple on Saturday after tallying a double and a single on Friday. Brantley hit a monstrous home run on Saturday. As far as pitching on that day, I thought every guy did great. That was our best day by far. We pitched well, had numerous quality at-bats and defended well. The three junior college guys looked good on the mound."
 
Burroughs on Sunday's game:
"Championships are won on Sunday, and you've got to bring it. Our guys came out with a lot of energy on Sunday, and there were guys who beat the coaches to the ballpark. That says a lot about our team."
 
"As for freshmen, Wesley Kreger really stood out. He threw the ball really well."
 
Burroughs on progress in the weight room:
"Dr. David Szymanski and his crew also deserve a lot of credit. We're at that point where guys are making gains, and it's showing in the energy and stamina we're giving every day. We're hitting a lot of balls for extra bases. The strength and conditioning side is showing up, and I'm very proud of our guys, too, with being there early and beating us to the ballpark."