by Malcolm Butler
Don’t look now but Lane Burroughs and the Diamond Dogs are once again in position for a possible postseason run.
Following an impressive weekend sweep over a WKU team that came into Ruston in first place in Conference USA but that left in third place and probably a little traumatized by the beating it took at the hands (and bats) of the Bulldogs, Louisiana Tech has positioned itself where it controls its destiny heading into the final regular season weekend of the season.
Sitting in a two-way tie for first place with Dallas Baptist (and owning the tie-breaker over the Patriots by virtue of its season series win in Dallas earlier this year), Burroughs and the Boys will head to Lynchburg, Virginia this week for a three-game series against CUSA newcomer Liberty starting Thursday.
Three wins and the Bulldogs are the Conference USA champions and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming tournament which will be held at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park May 22 through 26.
Tech made a statement this weekend with wins against the Hilltoppers by scores of 9-7, 12-2 and 7-1. They are playing really good baseball at a really good time. And these Dogs can win in a multitude of ways.
In Friday night’s dramatic win, the Bulldogs trailed 6-2 and 7-3 before using a four-run bottom of the ninth, highlighted by Ethan Bates walk-off three-run bomb down the right field line. It sent the Love Shack faithful into a frenzy and really set the tone for the entire weekend.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs fell behind early 2-0 before hitting five home runs in the third and fourth innings to score 12 unanswered runs in the seven-inning, run-rule shortened victory. It was home run derby during that two inning stretch.
And then yesterday, with the bats quiet for the vast majority of the game, the Bulldogs pitching staff kept WKU in check, allowing just one run. It allowed the Bulldogs to stay within striking distance — although with the way these guys swing the bats, a six-run deficit is within striking distance — until Bates solo shot to lead off the seventh tied it.
Tech then singled WKU to death in the bottom of the eighth to plate six runs and pull away for the series sweeping victory.
The Bulldogs now enter the final weekend playing for a league title, knowing worst case scenario they can be no worse than the No. 3 seed. Although I promise that’s not in their minds right now. Winning the regular season championship is.
This team reminds me a lot of the 2021 and 2022 teams.
Although maybe not quite as deep on the mound — remember Tech had four arms selected in the MLB Draft off those teams — they can still pitch it. The key is getting quality starts because the back-end of the bullpen is strong.
If Reed Smith, and Luke Nichols, and Grant Hubka, and Tanner Swistak can provide strong starts on the mound, I like these Bulldogs chances … not only this week but come both the CUSA Tournament and hopefully an NCAA Regional (fingers crossed).
Sam Brodersen and Ryan Harland and Jacob Havern and Ethan Bates combine for a strong nucleus out of the bullpen. And to when a CUSA Tournament and advance in an NCAA regional, having a plethora of arms who can get the job done is imperative.
More good news for Burroughs and the gang is Tech’s pitching staff doesn’t have to be perfect. Why not? The Dogs can swing it.
You don’t win 38 games without being able to plate runs. And Tech has shown the capacity to do just that.
Tech is hitting over .300 as a team with 78 home runs. Four everyday starters are hitting over .300 with three more above .290. From top to bottom of this lineup, Tech is dangerous for opposing arms.
Cole McConnell, Dalton Davis, Bates and Jorge Corona have all hit double digit home runs. The Bulldogs have more than once shown the ability to be explosive at the plate.
Twenty-two times this year Tech has scored eight or more runs with 14 games of 10-plus. The Bulldogs have power from both sides of the plate. And they can play small ball when necessary. It’s a potent, versatile lineup that is built for the postseason.
And if that isn’t enough, the Bulldogs can flash some leather. Tech ranks No. 1 in CUSA and top 10 in the country in fielding percentage. They say great teams are great defensively up the middle.
Well, check that off for Tech.
Corona behind the plate is one of the top defensive catchers in the country. Kasten Furr and Michael Ballard are arguably the best one-two punch defensively at shortstop and second base in CUSA. And then McConnell in centerfield runs like a deer and has all the defensive tools of a great outfielder.
After a down year last season, Burroughs and the Bulldogs appear to be back.
And with the Conference USA Tournament set to be played at the Love Shack for the second time in the last four years, the stage is set for Tech.
It could be another fun ride for Bulldog fans with these boys of summer.
