MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Diamond 'Dogs (21-12, 6-2 CUSA) are geared up to return to Conference USA play with a weekend series on the road against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (15-18, 2-7 CUSA) at Reese Smith Jr. Field in Murfreesboro.
 
The Bulldogs have won the last three weekend series against the Blue Raiders when playing in Murfreesboro, including a four-game sweep during the 2021 season.
 
Series Information
Date: Apr. 11-13, 2025
Venue: Reese Smith Jr. Field (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Time: 6 p.m. CT (Friday) | 4 p.m. CT (Saturday) | 1 p.m. CT (Sunday)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: Sportstalk 97.7 FM / LA Tech Athletics app
Stats: LATechSports.com/stats
Weekend Rotation: LHP Luke Cooley (Friday) | RHP Brooks Roberson (Saturday) | TBA (Sunday)
 
Series History
Series Record: 22-17 vs. Middle Tennessee
Last Meeting: May 22, 2024 (W, 8-2)
Streak: W1
 
LA Tech has been heating up as of late after a scuffling 9-8 start, posting a 12-4 record since then including winning eight of their last 10 games. After a two-game sweep over FIU at home with the series finale being canceled due to inclement weather, the Bulldogs sit atop the CUSA standings with a 6-2 record while Middle Tennessee currently sits in a tie for last place with Sam Houston at a 2-7 record in conference play.
 
After opening the season with a four-game sweep over Maine, the 'Dogs dropped their next three weekend series to Southern Miss, Memphis and South Alabama before bouncing back to take two of three games at Wichita State. Following the weekend with the Shockers, the Bulldogs opened up league action with a series win in against all three CUSA opponents they have played thus far.
 
This weekend's series is the first time the 'Dogs are on the road for a CUSA matchup since playing Sam Houston, where they took two games against the Bearkats including a chippy 9-7 rubber match victory.
 
Luke Cooley is expected to make his ninth start for the 'Dogs in Friday's series opener, carrying with him a 3.50 ERA and a 4-2 record. He leads the team and ranks eighth in the conference with 45 strikeouts across 36 innings and has allowed just one home run this season.
 
Brooks Roberson will make is fifth start on his 10th appearance on Saturday, holding a 3.65 ERA with a 4-1 record this year with 33 strikeouts through 37 innings. The freshman right-hander has held opponents to a combined .195 batting average, which is the third-best among CUSA pitchers. Sunday's pitcher for the Bulldogs is to be announced.
 
Previewing the Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee is led by head coach Jerry Meyers, who is in his third year leading the Blue Raiders baseball program. Since arriving to Murfreesboro, Meyers holds a 62-83 record and has secured a 30-win season since 2007 when he was the skipper for Old Dominion.
 
In 2023, he led MTSU to a semifinals appearance in the CUSA Baseball Championship as a No. 7 seed, marking the Blue Raiders as the team with the lowest seed to reach the semifinal round since Rice in 2019.
 
The Blue Raiders are led offensively by power-hitting Brett Vondohlen, who is tied for the most home runs in the conference with 13 this year. He also has driven in 36 RBI (4th in CUSA) and holds a staggering team-high 1.050 OPS. Middle Tennessee has six batters hitting over .300 this year with four of them having scored at least 20 runs.
 
Eston Snider leads the team with 50 hits, 12 doubles and an impressive 18 stolen bases which is the second-most in CUSA.
 
Drew Horn has been the most dominant arm for Middle Tennessee in 2025, holding a 1.57 ERA and a 2-1 record with 48 strikeouts through 34 1/3 innings on the mound. He has allowed just two extra-base hits—a double and a home run—and has held opponents to a combined .120 batting average. The redshirt sophomore righty threw a no hitter earlier this season against Oakland, allowing just two walks and striking out 13 batters.
 
Six different pitchers for the Blue Raiders have recorded at least two wins this year, with Jonny Stevens leading the team with three victorious decisions despite having an 8.68 ERA through less than 20 innings of work.
 
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