RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech baseball head coach Lane Burroughs spoke with the media Tuesday. He recapped No. 14 LA Tech's exciting series against Southern Miss over the weekend and previewed this upcoming weekend's home C-USA matchup against Marshall.
 
Lane Burroughs quotes
 
Opening statement:
"It was a crazy weekend with a lot of really close games between two evenly matched teams. The weekend lived up to the billing, and if you're a fan of college baseball or baseball in general, then it was a really good series. We would've loved to have won it, but even to split it you've got to appreciate the baseball that was played on both sides. We have a lot of respect for their program. I'm just proud of our guys. They never stopped, even in the third game, the first game on Sunday when they hit the five spot in the first inning and we responded with a four spot in the bottom half. It was back and forth and back and forth. In the second game, we knew Taylor would do anything he could to get on base. Usually when he does, we score, and he was able to do that with three of our best hitters coming up. The first two, Wells and Bates, had good at-bats but didn't get it done. Manny obviously got into one and hit the walk-off. That's the beauty of baseball. We don't have a clock. The players will let you know when the game ends. It was just really good baseball. We've now got another big weekend. It doesn't let up. I know everybody is going to look at Marshall's record, but Marshall has always given us trouble. They're very athletic offensively and have good arms. They were able to beat FIU in two games this past weekend, so we've got to be ready. If you don't respect your opponent and don't respect the game, then you'll get your teeth kicked in. I know our guys will be up to the task. They've answered the bell all year long. I'm excited about another Conference USA weekend."
 
On the ability for his team to fight back late in games:
"Especially against Southern Miss, when it's 5-0 against their pitching staff, that's a big-time staff top to bottom. Playing Arkansas and Tulane back-to-back helped us prepare for that. Even their coaches made comments about how 'you guys were turning us around like nobody has.' We hit because we hit. Our guys are over there at the stadium right now hitting. I guarantee it. They just love to hit. They're in our facilities or on the field by themselves with nobody around. We know we have that ability to strike. Against a really good pitching staff like Southern Miss, I won't say I was surprised but more of pleased with how we didn't stop. We can split a gap or whatever we need to do. Our guys don't stop, they never quit and they know they're not out of any game. As a coach, that's a great feeling. No doubt."
 
On Kyle Griffen's increase in usage and effectiveness over the past few weeks:
"I didn't think he was his normal self early on, and he didn't think so either. We tell our guys all the time to be who you are, don't be something you're not. Griff has bought into that. He knows who he is and what his strengths and weaknesses are. I really do believe that he's getting back to his form and pitching like he's capable of doing. I'm very proud of Griff and how hard he's worked to get back to where he is now."