Baseball great Hank Aaron once said that patience and persistence are the keys to overcoming any obstacle.
Grambling State outfielder Trevor Hatton is living proof of just that.
This time last year Hatton was consumed with the thought that his college baseball career and likely hardball days overall were over, ended with a swinging strikeout against Bethune-Cookman in the semifinals of the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament at Russ-Chandler Stadium in Atlanta.
But patience and perseverance combined with a little good fortune paid off for Hatton, giving him the opportunity to propel Grambling to a walk-off win in this weekend’s SWAC Championship on that same field that led to the Tigers earning a berth in the Texas-A&M set to begin on Friday.
“At the end of last season, I really thought that was it for me and baseball,” Hatton said. “I looked for opportunities as the summer progressed, but nothing was really happening.
“And it wasn’t really until there were 2-3 weeks left before the start of the fall semester that looked and realized that I still had a year of eligibility left if I wanted it, and realizing that I could go back to school and work on my graduate degree while getting to play more baseball, and maybe come out of it with a better ending than last season, made my decision pretty easy. I didn’t want the last at bat of my college baseball career to be a strikeout, so I figured why not give it another shot.”
Working on his master’s degree in mass communication, Hatton’s graduate season got off to a solid start before he fell into a midseason slump that saw GSU coach Davin Pierre temporarily pull Hatton from the Tigers’ starting lineup.
“It was tough — it was a frustrating time,” Hatton said. “I knew I was messing up on some of the little things hitting wise, but those little things can get you sometimes, and that’s what happened to me.”
But through patience and perseverance, with the 2024 regular season winding down, Hatton rediscovered his groove.
Like another baseball great — Babe Ruth — once said, never let the fear of striking out get in your way.
And Hatton didn’t.
“It just all kind of fell into place and came together,” Hatton said. “It wasn’t just one thing but a bunch of little things. I just kept pushing and just kind of worked my way out of the slump I had been in. It wasn’t purely mental. It wasn’t purely physical.
“So, I just realized that I had to put the pressure and negativity I was feeling about the way I was playing and just go back to having fun. And playing baseball for me is fun. It’s what I love the most.”
And last weekend, Hatton helped himself to much fun as his groove kept getting hotter and hotter as the Tigers worked their way through the 2024 SWAC Tournament.
After falling to Florida A&M on Thursday, the Tigers reeled off three straight wins, including a 14-4 victory in a rematch against the Rattlers to advance to Sunday’s SWAC Title Game against Jackson State.
Hatton played a key role in that semifinals win over Florida A&M, but that perseverance and patience he’s shown off over the past year paid even more dividends during Sunday’s 6-5 Championship Game win over JSU.
In the bottom of the ninth inning Hatton laid down a grounder that was fielded by Jackson State relief pitcher Christian Womble, who scooped up the ball and fired to his catcher attempting to get a force out at home plate, but the ball skipped away to the backstop allowing two runs to score and secure the first SWAC Tourney Championship for Grambling State since 2010.
“Off the bat it looked pretty good, and I knew I had a chance, so I was just focused on running down to first (base),” Hatton said of his final at bat on Sunday. “And once I saw the bad throw toward home, I immediately started celebrating because the second I saw that happen, I knew the game-winning run was going to score, too.”
All thanks to Hatton’s patience and perseverance.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Hatton said. “Just knowing last year my season had ended on a strikeout — probably my whole career had ended on a strikeout —- that was tough to take.
“So, to be able to come back this season, and get the walk off hit that won it for us and sent us to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in so long, it’s an unbelievable feeling. Like a dream —- a great come true.”
Pierre gives credit where credit is due.
“Trevor is one of the guys I’ve had to learn on coming down the stretch to the SWAC Tourney,” Pierre said. “And he came through. It’s just so great to see him do this and be able to put what happened last year where it belongs — in the past. He never backed down and never gave up and deserves to be on this team taking the field with us against Texas A&M on Friday.”
As far as the future, Hatton said he’s not close to knowing what it might hold. His only focus right now is on Grambling State baseball and the upcoming Texas A&M Regional in College Station, Texas.
“That’s as far ahead as I’ve thought at this point,” Hatton said. “That’s my only focus — just being a part of Grambling State history.
“I’m just looking forward to playing in that atmosphere and seeing everything that competing in an NCAA Regional has to offer. I feel like it’s going to be a great experience.”
Sam Brodersen (left) and Ethan Bates (right) have formed a one-two punch late in game for the Bulldogs this year.
By Malcolm Butler
Move over Houston Astros fans.
Louisiana Tech boasts its own – newer — version of the Killer B’s.
Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman combined to create the Killer B’s nickname in the early 2000 as the threesome wreaked havoc across major league baseball stadiums.
Now the collegiate pitching version of the Killer B’s has come to Ruston.
Meet Sam Brodersen and Ethan Bates, a pair of back-end of the bullpen Bulldogs that have garnered success and accolades throwing BBs — mostly the swing and miss variety — to opposing batters late in ball games this year.
It’s been a one-two punch that few collegiate programs boast.
“There are not too many teams in the country that have two guys like that,” said head coach Lane Burroughs. “They can both be closers. You have one guy who is leading the country or is up at the top in strikeouts per nine innings in Brodersen. And then you have a guy that lives for moment in Bates.”
The duo are a big part of the formula that has led the Bulldogs to the 2024 Conference USA regular season title and 45 wins entering this week’s Fayetteville Regional.
“It’s a luxury that I have never had as a pitching coach,” said Tech pitching coach Cooper Fouts. “I’ve never had it as a coach where I could say we have two legit closers. I truly think you could interchange them. It’s an unbelievable luxury.”
Bates, who began his career at Arkansas before transferring to Navarro Junior College and then on to Tech, leads the nation in saves with 17. He will most likely end the season ranked No. 1 with WKU’s Mason Burns currently ranking second with 15 but done for the year. Oregon State’s Bridger Holmes, Illinois-Chicago’s Reece Lawler and Duke’s Charlie Beilenson are in a tie for third with 12.
The Hot Springs, Arkansas, native has the right mindset to be a closer, one of the reasons he shattered the Tech single season saves mark (the previous record was 12 by Caleb Dudley in 2011).
“You can’t really think about it,” said Bates. “You just have to go out there and throw strikes. At the end of the game, it is usually pretty close if we are out there. It’s usually one or two runs. Whoever you are facing, you have to think you are better than them.”
And for time after time after time this season, Bates has been better than opposing hitters.
In a Tech single season record 35 appearances this year, Bates has a 2-1 record and 3.50 earned run average with the aforementioned 17 saves. He has worked 43.2 innings, allowing just 28 hits while walking 20 and striking out 52. Opponents are batting just .178 against him.
“His mentality for sure,” said Brodersen when talking about what makes Bates so successful. “Ethan will tell you he isn’t the most talented guy or the biggest or most physical guy. But you would be hard pressed to find someone who wants it more or who tries harder than Ethan. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him say, ‘I can’t go today Coach’ or ‘I’m not feeling up to it.’ He goes out there and you know what you are going to get with him every time.”
According to Fouts, Bates’ arsenal includes “a 3-pitch mix to all hitters. Over 60 percent strikes with all three pitches. More of a horizontal action. Fastball and change will have good arm-side depth. Slider will have good glove side depth. Won’t pitch as much up in the zone. Will get more weak contact with ground balls.”
Whatever it is, it has worked this year. And Tech fans are glad he made the decision to come to Ruston prior to the 2023 season.
So why did Ethan choose to be a Bulldog?
“We played here my freshman year,” said Bates referring to his time with the Razorbacks. “I loved everything about this place. So, when I went to Navarro (Junior College), I told my dad, ‘That’s where I want to go.’ It was still close to home. This place was still brand new. It’s awesome. I really liked how the fans were in the game and how the guys handled themselves. Once I left Arkansas my decision was to come here, and I did everything I could to get here.”
Mission accomplished.
One thing is for sure, Bates most likely wouldn’t lead the country in saves without the success of his buddy Brodersen.
“Sam has thrown so many big, big innings and gotten us out of so many jams,” said Fouts. “If it’s in the sixth inning and we are in a jam, then we are bringing Sam in. So, he is coming in in that major role in the middle of a game where truly the game could be decided. Where if you give up the lead, you just don’t know if you are going to get it back. To have that in your back pocket is a pretty special thing.”
Brodersen signed with Tech after leading Wingate to a Division II national title last season.
He has strikeout “stuff”, ranking No. 3 in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings at 15.63 and breaking the LA Tech single season record (Jonathan Fincher, 14.20 in 2019). Brodersen trails only Arkansas’ Hagen Smith (17.54) and Wake Forests’ Chase Burns (17.43).
“His stuff is electric,” said Bates. “He has a fastball that rides at the top of the zone and a curve ball that just falls off the table. He has a little bit of craziness to him, and he isn’t scared of nobody.”
“His fastball is 92-96 with high vert so we play through the top of the zone,” said Fouts. “The slider is more north and south. Sam will throw more fastballs. More power stuff. His fastball command has grown and gotten so much better this year.”
Brodersen has made 32 appearances on the mound this year, registering an 8-1 record with a 2.47 earned run average. In 54.2 innings, he has allowed just 29 hits while recording 95 strikeouts. His 32 appearances is tied for third most with Caleb Dudley (2011) and trails only Bates (35) and Kyle Griffin (34 in 2019).
One more win and he will enter into the Top 10 single season wins tally. Brodersen said he is comfortable in his role with the Bulldogs.
“Some people struggle (in a closer’s role),” said Brodersen. “They get wrapped up in the moment or they let the moment get too big. It’s what I’ve always felt comfortable doing since I was a freshman in college. I just try to go in one hitter at a time.
“You can go out there and make the moment too big and kind of get lost in it. My mentality is recognizing where I am and live in the moment. I will look around. I will look at the crowd and soak it all in, lock in, and take it one batter at a time.”
Brodersen will have an opportunity to soak it in this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, a facility that can hold up in excess of 10,000 fans, most of them of the Pig Sooie variety.
The native of Orlando, Florida, said his decision to come to Ruston stemmed from a desire to play in the postseason on the Division I level.
“Leaving Wingate, I knew I had one year of college baseball left,” said Brodersen. “I talked to Coach (Mitch) Gaspard first and then Coach Fouts … and the things they were saying on the phone was they wanted older guys with experience. They wanted guys who had been there before. I felt like it was a really good fit. I felt like I could come in and make an impact right away.
“That tradition of winning at Tech definitely drew me here. I knew I could come here and play for a regional, and that’s what we are doing now. I am excited.”
As Bates, Brodersen and the Bulldogs make their way north on Hwy167 to play for a chance to go to the school’s first ever Super Regional, they do so knowing they have the arms and the mindset that can get the job done late in high pressure situations.
“I think there is something on the back end of the ball game that’s a mentality,” said Burroughs. “It’s why some guys struggle getting the last three outs, whether they are trying to get a complete game or if you have a big lead and you bring a guy in.
“You have to have that mentality and both of those guys have it. It’s a good combination of mentality, character, make-up and stuff that you just don’t get very often.”
With a veteran roster focused on one of their top preseason goals, each Bulldog will look to do their part to get some big-time W’s this weekend.
And if they are to accomplish the historic feat, odds are the Killer B’s will have a crucial part in it.
After a tremendous inaugural group was named in 2023, the Lincoln Parish Journal is now seeking nominations for this year’s “Rising Lincoln Leaders.”
Our parish is full of young, rising professionals and leaders, and we want to recognize the next group of leaders through this summer series.
Nominee criteria includes:
39 years of age or younger
works in Lincoln Parish
resides in Lincoln Parish
Deadline to submit nominations is by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 5th. All nominations should be emailed to LPJNewsLA@gmail.com with the subject line of Rising Lincoln Leaders.
Please include the following information within the nomination:
Nominee’s name
Age
Employer
Contact info, including phone
750 words or less about why the individual is being nominated for this award; including accomplishments, awards, etc.
Contact name and info (including phone) of the person submitting the nomination
The Lincoln Parish Journal will run a series profiling each of the “Rising Lincoln Leaders” during the summer.
The 2024 Promising Practices Conference on Community Health is coming to Grambling on Friday, June 7.
A hybrid (both on-site and online) event, the conference will be held at Grambling State University (on site) and by Zoom webinar (online). The Conferences is a part of a greater community outreach and engagement program coordinated by the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC)’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (OCOE).
The objectives of the conference are to increase awareness of factors related to public health issues affecting Louisiana communities with a particular emphasis placed on how cancer is affecting Louisiana communities. In addition to this focus on cancer, the conference presenters will also examine a wider range of public health and wellness services and programs available to Louisiana communities.
They will also examine health-related related research being done in Louisiana and approaches that can help address overall public health and wellness within Louisiana Communities. This focus supports the LCRC OCE goal of reducing the impact of cancer across Louisiana and in the Gulf region. It also helps residents of Louisiana address health and wellness needs within their communities.
The event focuses on bringing together community members, researchers, healthcare professionals and stakeholders of public health to listen and learn from each other about issues relating to community health. The objective of the Conference is to help both presenters and attendees better understand and identify community health and wellness issues around both the topic of cancer as well as a broader range of public health issues. The Conference will also provide information about both cancer-related and more general health and wellness resources available to Louisiana communities.
Conference discussion panels will examine topics like identifying a community’s health and wellness needs. They will also review approaches for collaborating to address community healthcare issues, and strategies for applying research results to meet community health and wellness needs.
Additionally, the conference’s keynote speaker, Faith Hunter, MBA, ERYT, will deliver a talk entitled, “Uniting for Health: Innovative Solutions for Community Wellness.” Hunter’s talk will focus on community wellness as established by her journey as a wellness expert, author and pioneering force in the realms of meditation, yoga and mindfulness.
Registration for both the on-site and online versions of the conference is free, and the event is open to anyone. Individuals, however, must register to attend. Individuals can register now using this link https://www.promisingpractices2024.com/copy-of-registration.
As the Peach Hunt goes on to day three, Lincoln Parish is the place to be!
Don’t go Downtown, that would be a disaster! If you avoid construction it will get you there faster!
This year’s Peach Prize is worth $500, and if the winner is wearing this year’s #LAPeachFest t-shirt when they find the prize, it will increase to $750.
The Peach Prize is sponsored by The Cleaners of Ruston.
The 74th annual Peach Festival will be held Saturday, June 1, throughout Downtown Ruston. Admission will be free.
Drift is defined as the continuous slow movement from one place to another. One practical example is floating near the shoreline in the Gulf. I love to float out in the water and will routinely look up after 15-20 minutes and find myself well away from the point on shore that I entered the water. I didn’t notice the movement because it was subtle, but the continuous movement took me well down the shoreline.
Life can be like that too. We make seemingly insignificant choices, compromise on a few commitments, justify a few negative behaviors, and neglect investing in a few positive habits to wake up one day in a place we never envisioned. We see a person in the mirror that we don’t like, don’t know, and don’t want to be if we were honest. The sad thing is, we don’t even know how we got to that point.
It all happened very subtly. We drifted into a lifestyle that we never intended. It started with a single decision and that choice led to another compromise. Over time, we neglected investing in good habits and developed bad habits. Those habits transformed our lifestyle and ultimately led us to a different place. We drifted. We never intended to neglect that relationship, to conduct business in that manner, to create those health issues, to become dependent on that item, or to be that type of person. It was that slow continuous movement over time that led us down a path that we never envisioned.
Drifting is not a positive action in life. I have never seen anyone drift into a meaningful life. A meaningful, fulfilling life is likely tied to intentionality. The purposeful pursuit of developing positive habits, a desirable lifestyle, and a clear identity is the contrast to drifting.
One area that I have intentionally focused on is fitness. This past Memorial Day, I joined the members of Imperium Weightlifting and Fitness for the annual Murph workout challenge. These folks were not only kind enough to allow me to join them in the event but were so inspiring to help me push through a challenging workout and achieve my goal. These people showed up early on a Memorial Day holiday to not only honor those who sacrificed for our country but also engaged in something hard. They were the perfect example of intentionality.
As you consider your personal life, your business, or any organization that you may belong to in the community, consider the following questions to evaluate your intentionality level to combat the dangers of drift:
Do you have a clear identity for yourself, your business, your team, or your organization? Can you clarify what you value, believe, and want to pursue? Is it evidenced by where you are investing your time, money, and thoughts?
Do you find purpose in your daily life? Have you clearly defined what a “winning day” is for you? Are those “wins” focused on inputs (habits) or accomplishments (results)?
Are the people in your life/organization helping you move toward who you want to become or away from that pursuit? Do you need to make some changes?
Who you are becoming is more important than what you are achieving. Achievements come and go. Achievements are impacted by many variables, and some are outside our control. Who we are becoming is an intentional focus that will lead to meaningful and fulfilling days. Stacking days on top of one another leads to a meaningful and fulfilling life, impactful organization, and difference making team.
Are you drifting? If so, turn things around with some intentional focus!
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Ruston man after he was found with a stolen gun on a traffic stop Friday.
Caiden Alexander Turner, 17, was stopped in Grambling by a deputy for a traffic violation about 1 a.m. Friday morning. The deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A subsequent search located a small amount of marijuana and a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol.
A check showed the pistol had been reported stolen to the Grambling Police Department.
Turner was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The LPJ Digital Deals email will be coming your way today at 4 p.m. if you are an email subscriber of the Lincoln Parish Journal.
Discount coupons from some of our local businesses will be emailed out later today giving our loyal readers opportunities to take advantage of special savings.
In order for a business or individual to participate, their coupons must contain (a) a savings and (b) an expiration date that falls within one month if the date of run.
Any business who wishes to take advantage of this new piece of inventory may contact the LPJ at LPJNewsLA@gmail.com.
The cost of the weekly coupon to run within the special Thursday afternoon email and then again on Friday morning as an all-inclusive LPJ Digital Deals is $125 per week (or a discounted rate of $350 for a 4-week run).
This is just one more way that the Lincoln Parish Journal can bring its advertising partners together with our loyal readers.
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT) announce Louisiana saw continued increases in visitation and visitor spending in 2023.
According to research from MMGY Global, Louisiana welcomed 43 million domestic and international visitors in 2023, an increase of 420,000 over 2022. These visitors spent a total of $18.1 billion in 2023, an increase of 5.4% from 2022. International visitation showed the most significant gain, increasing 16.9% in 2023 with spending reaching $1.7 billion.
Additionally in 2023, visitor spending generated $1.9 billion in state and local taxes. Tax revenue generated through travel and tourism spending saves each household in Louisiana $1,098 a year in taxes that would be needed to maintain current services.
“It’s exciting to see the increases to visitation and spending in Louisiana as we work to get back to record breaking numbers prior to the pandemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “I’m especially pleased to see the increase in numbers from international visitors. We know international visitors stay longer, visit more places and spend more money, making them extremely important to the economic impact of travel to the state. These increases are despite the challenges of increasing travel costs.”
The U.S. Travel Association does not predict international visitation to recover until 2025, and spending levels are expected to recover by 2026. In an effort to attract international travelers, LOT is promoting Louisiana in new markets across the globe. In the past year, Louisiana participated in or hosted sales and media missions to Australia/New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and India. This week, LOT is headed to Milan, Italy, and Madrid, Spain, as part of a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Commerce Department to promote Louisiana as a tourism destination to the Italian and Spanish markets. In total, the grant covered three markets which included Mumbai, India.
“Through our proactive marketing and promotion of the state, not only domestically, but internationally, we expect to continue to see a steady return of visitors,” said Lt. Governor Nungesser. “People are excited to return to travel and experience all the ways to Feed Your Soul in Louisiana – and we’re just getting started.”
At the end of 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show there were 220,500 people employed in Louisiana’s leisure and hospitality industry, an increase of 3,100 additional jobs from 2022. The hospitality industry is the fourth largest employer in the state.
Grambling State University women’s soccer head coach Justin Wagar has announced the hiring of Omar Anderson as Associate Head Coach.
Omar comes to GSU after leading the Columbia Basin College women’s team as the head coach for the past eight years, including to a Northwest Community College title this fall.
“We are thrilled to have Omar joining our staff as associate head coach,” said Wagar. “He brings experience and knowledge as a proven winner and will further enhance our program here at GSU.”
Anderson is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, He moved to Alaska at age 16 and competed for Cook Inlet Soccer Club, East Anchorage High School, and Alaska ODP. He then signed to play after high school for Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington for the 2008-2009 seasons.
He then joined the Peninsula College coaching staff, assisting both the men’s and women’s programs, in 2010. During Anderson’s tenure on the Peninsula College coaching staff from 2010 through 2015, the Men’s Soccer Program won four Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Championships (2010, 2012, 2013, 2015) and the Women’s Soccer Program won two NWAC Championships (2012, 2013), and were runners-up in 2011 and 2014. Anderson, along with the 2012 and 2013 Men’s Soccer players and coaching staff, were inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame for their back-to-back championships.
Anderson was hired as Head Coach of Columbia Basin College Women’s Soccer in 2016, turning around a program into an immediate title contender. In his 8 years at CBC, his overall record was 85-31-24 (.610%), and the program amassed 30 All-Region players, 1 East Region MVP, and the 2023 NWAC Championship MVP. He was named NWAC East Regional Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2022, and named NWAC Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2023, following CBC’s NWAC Championship run. In addition to the 2023 Championship, his teams also made the NWAC Final 4 in 2021 and 2022. CBC’s 2023 NWAC Championship was the program’s first since 2008. At time of Anderson’s departure the Hawks were Nationally Ranked #2 on the United Soccer Coaches poll for Junior Colleges (DII).
While at Columbia Basin College, Anderson was also very active in youth club soccer, serving on the Technical Staff of Three Rivers Soccer Club in Tri-Cities, Washington, and also was Head Coach for various boys and girls Premier level teams from ages U13-U19. At the club level in 2022, his 3RSC GU19 Black team won Washington Youth Soccer State Championships, USYS Far West Regionals, and advanced to the semifinals at the USYS National Championships. In addition to club duties, Anderson was also a Head Coach for Eastern Washington Elite Player Development (Olympic Development Program) from 2016-2020.
Anderson currently holds his USSF ‘B’ License, and enjoys watching soccer, traveling and being with family in his free time.
“I am truly honored and excited to be a part of this university,” said Anderson. “I look forward to working with Coach Wagar and our student athletes who are competing at the highest level continue to strive for excellence on and off the field. I would like to thank coach Justin Wagar and the Grambling State Athletic Department for providing me the opportunity to represent such a storied university that provides student-athletes with a top-level education and athletic experience.”
Bertie is a historical figure who is often overlooked or discounted as a failure, but was he? Bertie was born in Iowa in 1874. His father, Jesse, owned a farm implement store. His mother’s name was Hulda. He had an older brother and eventually, a younger sister. In 1880, Bertie’s father died from a sudden heart attack at the young age of 34. Four years later, his mother died from Typhoid fever. Ten-year-old Bertie and his two siblings were orphans. In 1885, Bertie and his siblings went to Newberg, Oregon, to live with their uncle, a businessman named John Minthorn. Uncle John managed a real estate office called the Oregon Land Company. Bertie dropped out of school at the age of 13 to work in Uncle John’s land company.
In 1891, Bertie enrolled in the first class of the brand new Stanford University. He initially studied mechanical engineering but changed his major to geology after working with Dr. John Casper Branner, the chairman of Stanford’s geology department. In 1894, a strong-minded 20-year-old woman named Lou Henry attended a geology lecture by Dr. Branner and was hooked. Shortly thereafter, she enrolled at Stanford. There, she met Bertie and the two became inseparable. A year after her graduation, Bertie and Lou married. Soon thereafter, Bertie accepted a position as leading engineer in a private Chinese engineering and mining company. The newlyweds packed their meager belongings and moved to Tientsin, China.
At the time, tensions were rising in China. In June 1900, the Boxer Rebellion erupted in Tientsin. The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist, and anti-Christian uprising in North China between 1899 and 1901 by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, known as the “Boxers” in English due to many of its members having practiced Chinese martial arts, which at the time were referred to as “Chinese boxing.” For almost a month, Tientsin was under heavy fire. While Lou worked in the hospitals, Bertie directed the building of barricades. On July 14, 1901, a multi-national military force defeated the “boxers” in the Battle of Tientsin.
After the rebellion, Bertie and Lou moved to London where Bertie specialized in fixing failing mining companies. Rather than being paid a salary, Bertie took a percentage of the profits if he was able to rejuvenate the companies. Within a short time, Bertie had investments in mines on every continent and had offices in several countries. His talents as a geologist quickly made him wealthy. By 1914, Bertie’s wealth reached approximately $4 million. That would be over $125 million in today’s money.
Bertie wrote the book on mining. Seriously. In 1909, he published a book called “Principles of Mining” which became a standard textbook for geologists. Bertie and Lou were huge fans of Georgius Agricola’s 16th century work on mining and metallurgy called “De re Metallica.” In 1912, they published the first English translation of “De re Metallica.” At about the same time, Bertie joined the board of trustees at his alma mater, Stanford. Bertie was happy with the trajectory of his life. He had a loving wife and two wonderful children. Then something happened which forever changed his life’s trajectory.
In 1914, Germany declared war on France. The American Consul General asked for Bertie’s help in getting stranded American tourists back home. With the backing of Congress and President Woodrow Wilson, Bertie was selected as the committee’s chairman. He acted immediately. Within two weeks, his committee helped more 100,000 Americans return to the United States. Bertie said later, “I did not realize it at the moment, but on August 3, 1914, my career was over forever. I was on the slippery road of public life.”
In August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, which created a food crisis. Germany refused to take responsibility to feed citizens in captured territory. At this point, the United States declared neutrality in what was the early part of World War I. Something had to be done. With the cooperation of President Wilson’s administration, Bertie led a Belgian relief organization called the Commission for Relief in Belgium. Bertie made 40 trips to meet with German authorities in the North Sea and persuaded them to allow food shipments. Under Bertie’s leadership, the commission delivered millions of tons of foodstuffs to Belgium. In 1915, the commission expanded and delivered supplies to people in the German-occupied Northern France. American diplomat Walter Page said Bertie was “probably the only man living who has privately negotiated understandings with the British, French, German, Dutch, and Belgian governments.” Remember, Bertie held no political office.
When the United States entered World War I, President Wilson remembered how well Bertie had handled the Commission for Relief in Belgium and France and appointed him to head the U.S. Food Administration. Bertie’s herculean task was to manage the country’s food supplies during the war. To avoid rationing, which other wartime countries were forced to undertake, Bertie established set days for people to avoid eating certain foods including the cleverly named meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays. The plan worked and allowed the Food Administration to send foodstuffs to allies of the United States. Bertie was referred to as an expert administrator for his work.
After the war, Europe still faced food shortages. The Food Administration, whose name changed to the American Relief Administration, provided food to central and eastern Europe. Bertie also founded the European Children’s Fund to provide food and aid to some fifteen million children from 14 countries. Despite his request that he not be named in publicity for the food program, Bertie’s selfless work during the war made him a public hero. His abilities were also praised when he worked as Secretary of Commerce under presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge. Despite going from being an orphan to a multimillionaire, personally negotiating with leaders of warring nations to provide aid which potentially saved the lives of millions of people in multiple countries, Bertie is often considered a failure. How is this possible? When the stock market crashed in the fall of 1929 followed shortly thereafter by the Great Depression, Bertie was the president of the United States. Bertie was the family nickname for Herbert Hoover.
As the Peach Hunt goes on to day three, Lincoln Parish is the place to be!
Don’t go Downtown, that would be a disaster! If you avoid construction it will get you there faster!
This year’s Peach Prize is worth $500, and if the winner is wearing this year’s #LAPeachFest t-shirt when they find the prize, it will increase to $750.
The Peach Prize is sponsored by The Cleaners of Ruston.
The 74th annual Peach Festival will be held Saturday, June 1, throughout Downtown Ruston. Admission will be free.
The 18-year-old woman killed when gunfire struck her car on Interstate 20 in Ruston has been identified.
Haleei A. Newton graduated from Ruston High School Tuesday night with her family present to celebrate her accomplishment. Just over 75 hours later, Newton was shot as she and a male friend traveled eastbound on I-20 between the Tarbutton Road interchange and Tech Drive just after midnight Saturday morning.
Chief Steve Rogers said Monday that investigators were trying to pinpoint the exact location where the shooting occurred to look for evidence such as shell casings.
Social media discussions of the incident said someone shot into the youth’s car and she was taken to Northern Louisiana Medical Center.
Police said a patrol officer near the interstate heard the gunfire. The occupant of the car was not injured, according to RPD.
A family member pleaded on social media Saturday–”All these pplz that showing my baby love, I need all y’all put that same energy into finding out who did this and getting justice for my baby.”
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday evening, according to Lincoln Parish Detention Center records.
Tips on the case can be submitted by calling RPD at 318-255-4141 or Crimestoppers at 318-255-1111.
Courtesy of Louisiana Tech University Communications
On the eve of commencement, 41 soon-to-be graduates received their Louisiana Tech University Nursing pins when Tech’s Division of Nursing held its Pinning Ceremony for the Spring 2024 class.
Each graduate was presented a commemorative Nightingale Lamp provided by Northern Louisiana Medical Center. Graduates who were members of the Student Nurses’ Association, Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society, or Men in Nursing were recognized with the presentation of cords.
Following successful completion of the NCLEX-RN National licensing Exam, the graduates become Registered Nurses.
The graduates are as follows:
Nicholas Gray Adams of Ruston
Abimbola Abigeal Adesope of Ruston
Shalyn Ja’sha Barker of Baton Rouge
Ava Grace Baudouin of Zachary
Maci Elizabeth Brazzel of West Monroe
Bailey Renee Breakfield of Lafayette
Allie May Chapman of Downsville
Joscelyn Heather Collins of Covington
Lauren Dark Bowman of Ruston
Payton Michelle Elwell of Haughton
Lauren Elizabeth Ensminger of Ruston
Noah Paul Evey of Lake Charles
Viviana Elyse Foote of Baton Rouge
Turner Elizabeth Frasier of Ruston
Lauren Elizabeth Green of West Monroe
Hollan Chandler Haynes of Minden
Sarah Ann Hegab of Ruston
Faith Hirsch of Shreveport
Tylar Grace Horn of Haughton
Wesley Humphries of Jena
Kirstie Stringer Jordan of West Monroe
Jason Warren King of Quitman
Savannah Lacoste of Blanchard and Shreveport
Madalyn Harris Lemke of Winnsboro
Andrew Garrett Martin of Bossier City
Haley Ann Meshell of Shreveport
Kayla Monae Miles of Jackson, MS
Tiffany Anne Mosley of Shongaloo
Cameron Jewel Nettles of Folsom
Brandon Ngo of Shreveport
Hannah Rose Norwood of Bossier City
Megan Oberdorf of Monroe
Kaleb Jace Oliver of Farmerville
Alexis Breanne Phelps of Farmerville
Katie Lynn Pyles of Ruston
Cristalyn Quinn of Minden
Ashlyn Grace Riley of Alexandria
Alex Neal Sikes of West Monroe
Kendrick Da’mon Tatum of Chatham
Peighton Caroline Watson of Shreveport
Stormy Wingfield of Monroe
The following awards were presented:
Academic Excellence Award: Lauren Dark and Ashlyn Riley
Tenets of Tech Award: Kendrick Tatum
Spirit of Patient Care Awards: Ashlyn Riley, Ava Baudouin, Alex Sikes, and Sarah Hegab
Teamwork and Collaboration Peer Award: Turner Frasier
SNA (Student Nurses’ Association) Award: Hollan Haynes
Nursing Ambassadors Recognition:
Lauren Dark
Noah Evey
Tylar Horn
Katie Pyles
Ashlyn Riley
Kendrick Tatum
Military Veteran Recognition:
Shalyn Barker — Branch, Army National Guard; Rank: Specialist, SPC; Years in service: 6 years; Job description: Automated logistical specialist: 92A
Abimbola Abigeal Adesope — Branch, US ARMY R; Rank- E-4 (SPECIALIST); Years in service: 3 years; Job description – UNIT SUPPLY SPECIALIST
Returning to Ruston on June 1, the 74th annual festival will be presenting over 12 hours of live music. Ten musical artists and groups are set to play at the Railroad Park Stage throughout the day and into the night. Featured artists will perform from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Headlining the festival is the award-winning Austin, Texas, band, The Band of Heathens. They will be taking the stage at 9:30 p.m. and closing out the festival. The band is currently touring with their ninth studio album “Simple Things” and will be making the Peach Fest one of their tour stops.
The Band of Heathens will follow a full day of live music from other notable artists including Clara Rae, Beaux Atkins, Jhaiya Davis, Josh Love and Hali Brown. Several bands will also be performing including Russ-Town Band, Tipsey and LVVRS.
Louisiana country musician Beaux Atkins shared his excitement in gearing up to perform songs from his “Shout Hallelujah” and “Redfearn” albums.
“I’ll be performing a mixture of all my work, and I’ll just go off the feeling I get when I step on stage,” Atkins said. “I want to say God bless and everyone should come out to the Peach Fest and have fun, listen to some great music and enjoy themselves.”
Singer and Louisiana native Clara Rae McBroom will also be performing during the day. She recalls attending the peach festival as a guest in past years.
“The peach festival is something that I love attending. There’s always great vendors, music, and of course, peaches,” McBroom said. “I’m honored to have even been considered to play for the event itself, and I can’t wait to hit the stage.”
The Peach Festival will showcase many regional artists and musicians, giving attendees a true taste of North Louisiana. Artists of many different genres will perform throughout the festival, so there will be something for everyone. Director of Marketing and Communications at Experience Ruston, Tori Davis shared why everyone should come out to enjoy the music.
“We’re so proud that the majority of our musicians are from North Louisiana, but we’re also looking forward to welcoming Austin natives, ‘The Band of Heathens’ to the stage as this year’s headliner,” Davis said. “Be sure to come out to downtown Ruston to discover incredible area talent and support all the local musicians that add such vibrancy to our Louisiana communities.”
The full schedule of performances is listed below.
When more than 1,000 Louisiana Tech students became alumni last Saturday at the Thomas Assembly Center, included in that number were the first two graduates of the new Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in communication technologies program, Leslee Bennett and Madison Remrey.
Bennett and Remrey, who are also received their BA in communications two years ago, said their undergraduate experience helped them determine their decision to pursue graduate school at Tech.
“I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s degree because I felt it would give me more job opportunities after graduation,” Bennett said. “I chose communication technologies because it allowed me to continue my education in something I already loved during my bachelor’s in communication studies.”
Remrey said she wanted to continue to learn more about her field in graduate school.
“Undergraduate courses in communication might teach you the application of the field, but a MA in communication leads you into the ‘why’ behind it all,” she said. “By understanding the why and how behind communication, students can better serve those around them in their professional and personal lives.”
“We have such inquisitive and curious students at the undergraduate and graduate levels,” Roberts said. “To watch these two students develop and hone their skills from freshmen to MAs has been such a rewarding experience for me as their professor. I am incredibly proud of this program and all of the opportunities it offers students.”
Bennett plans to work at Tech in the University Communications department as a communication specialist, and Remrey intends to pursue her Ph.D.
Remrey, who had a two-week old baby when she started the master’s program, said even when life felt overwhelming, she always reminded herself that every seasonhappens with purpose and what she was doing was for the better.
“There is one thing I always tell myself when I feel like I can’t go anymore — in school, work, life in general,” she said. “’You’ve done harder things.’ I don’t want to take responsibility for that thought. I actually learned that from the person I interviewed for the very first article I ever had published as a journalism student. She said it is what got her through herPh.D. research, so I applied it to my own life. I tell myself, ‘You’ve doneharder things than this assignment. You’ve done harder things than thisresearch. You’ve done harder things than graduate school, and you made itthrough. You can make it through this.’”
A Coushatta man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on the Grambling State University campus in October.
Lamorris D. Wiley, 18, was arrested Friday by Shreveport Police and turned over to GSU Police.
Police investigated a robbery and aggravated battery on campus on October 2. One individual was arrested at the time. Wiley was identified as a suspect, and an arrest warrant was obtained charging him with armed robbery and aggravated battery, but he was not located until last week.
Wiley was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center with bail set at $250,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This summer, the LPJ will be publishing a series of articles detailing some of the features and advantages of being an LPJ subscriber and advertiser. These will include writer, photographer and publisher bios and some behind-the-scenes stories so you can get to know your LPJ.
By Kyle Roberts
When our group took over the Lincoln Parish Journal fully in the fall of 2021, our red line and our Rubicon was always that we would only publish the Lincoln Parish Journal as long as it would be free for our readers.
I am so thankful to report that has not changed.
Without doubt, these last three years have been some of the most fulfilling years of my professional life. I have re-found my passion as a sports writer, and it delights me to no end to see all of the great things that are going on in Lincoln Parish and this community firsthand as a reporter. The people in our area have amazing stories, and it is our privilege to share them with you.
But how are we able to publish five days a week (six during football season) without putting stories behind a paywall?
It’s simple: because the businesses in Lincoln Parish believe in our mission. And they pass those savings on to you.
I’d like you to do something: scroll to the top of this story. Now scroll to the bottom. And when you come back, look at the graphic below this paragraph. In fact, go back to the email you received this morning and look at graphics placed around the stories.
These are businesses or events right around you with products and services that are their livelihoods, too.
And these businesses have made an investment in their advertising to partner with us.
It feels rare in the world we live in where all partners in a transaction benefit equally. At the Lincoln Parish Journal, we know this is true: subscribers get the most up-to-date news quickly for free, advertisers can market their businesses at an affordable rate, and our staff can continue to do the work of providing free news at 6:55 am every weekday and breaking news when needed.
So the next time you’re reading a story in the LPJ, please pay attention to the ads you see. It’s a way to honor the advertisers who are taking care of you by taking care of your subscription.
They say you get what you pay for: in this case, your payment has already been taken care of.
It could be North, South, East, or West– but play it safe when you’re on your quest!
This year’s Peach Prize is worth $500, and if the winner is wearing this year’s #LAPeachFest t-shirt when they find the prize, it will increase to $750. The Peach Prize is sponsored by The Cleaners of Ruston.
The 74th annual Peach Festival will be held Saturday, June 1, throughout Downtown Ruston. Admission will be free.
JJ Sledge (right) and his father, Jimmy, attended the 2024 Conference USA Baseball Tournament. (Courtesy photo)
By JJ Sledge
62 Games Down. Several more to go.
It’s hard to believe that just over three months ago, Tech started the 2024 campaign on a Friday afternoon in February against Northern Colorado to start a 4-game weekend.
After a regular season conference championship capped off with a series sweep at Liberty, Tech was the top seed entering this past weekend’s conference tournament. Despite winning their first game, a tough loss to Liberty in game 2 bumped Tech to the loser’s bracket. Because of this, they would end up playing 5 games in around 72 hours. They fought back to win their next 4 games. But unfortunately, the Dogs just ran out of gas. Dealing with a mix of heat, sickness and an unfortunate 1st inning, the Dogs ultimately fell to DBU in the title game Sunday afternoon.
However, this incredible season isn’t over. Thanks to an incredible 19-4 run over the past 6 weeks after being swept in Arizona, Tech climbed over 50 spots in the RPI standings to sit in the top 30 as the regular season ended.
Now, Tech is headed north to Fayetteville and the Arkansas Regional this weekend for their 3rd NCAA Baseball Tournament Regional Appearance in the last 4 years. And I personally feel this team has a great shot at contending for the regional crown and even a possible super regional berth.
This was my 4th straight C-USA Baseball tournament to attend as a Tech fan, and second to attend at the Love Shack. Here’s how I’d break it down:
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Games: 5/5
Honestly, the Conference tournament is always a wild card. You typically have at least one team that is considered fairly safe for an NCAA Tournament Regional Bid (those being DBU and Tech this year). And then you also have the remaining teams who are hoping a little luck is on their side so that they can put together a run over 5 days and win a Conference Championship.
As we saw on Wednesday/Day 1, anything can happen. It doesn’t matter what your team is seeded, because 6th seed FIU’s 4 home runs gave them a win over 3rd seed Western Kentucky.
And in typical Louisiana May fashion, “Mother Nature” decided to make an appearance later that evening. Now I assume many of you have heard about what happened by now. But if you missed it: Tech was up 8-2 over Middle Tennessee going into the top of the 9th inning. As the 8th inning finished, thunder cracked and there was a flash of lightning. The game was paused right around 7 pm. After nearly 2 hours of negotiating, it was announced that the game would be finished Thursday morning at 9 am. Now typically the game would have been ruled final since it was well past the cutoff point of 5 innings. However, in a tournament scenario with regional bids on the line, the normal rules are not always applied as they want to finish every game if possible. I have heard that MTSU could have agreed to end the game Wednesday night, but I guess they were hoping for a little morning magic. Anyway, in what might unofficially be the longest game in school history and after a roughly 14-hour delay, Tech and Middle Tennessee finished the game in what was officially a 3 minute and 37 second, 9th inning on Thursday morning with just 13 pitches needed by Ethan Bates.
But if you wanted even more drama, all you needed to do was watch Tech’s games on Saturday.
Coming off a close win Friday night, Tech was now tasked with winning twice Saturday to make it to the Championship Game Sunday afternoon.
In game one, Tech and Liberty traded blows through the first 4 innings before Mike Ballard scored Ethan Bates on a fielder’s choice to take a 2-run lead. Bates would later score again on a wild pitch in the 6th to ultimately give Tech the winning run as Liberty would get within a run on a 2-run homer in the top of the 9th before Bates shut them down to earn his nation leading 17th save of the season.
But Saturday night will go down as one of the greatest games in J. C. Love Field history.
Liberty stormed out to a 4-0 lead after 4 innings. But the Dogs still had some life left in them. After chipping away, Tech faced a 3-run deficit heading into the 8th inning. Cole McConnell knocked in a run with 1 out to put runners on the corners. Down to 1 out in the inning, Jorge Corona doubled to right field with a phenomenal hit that landed just in fair territory before rolling into the right field corner. Even though he was told to stop by Coach Burroughs, Cole ran full speed and got in to home just before the Liberty catcher tagged him. And just like that, the Dogs had tied it up at 5. But the drama wasn’t quite over.
It’s possible you could have heard a pin drop in the Love Shack just seconds before Conference Player of the Year Ethan Bates took the mound to begin the 9th. Senior first baseman Dalton Davis sprinted off the field due to heat related symptoms just moments before the inning started, so Tech had to quickly re-shuffle the defense. Tech moved Grant Comeaux over to first and brought in senior Logan McCloud to play third. Liberty quickly loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the 9th off Bates. With the pitching staff dwindling rapidly, Coach called on reliever Nate Crider, who had pitched just 13 innings this season. And in a performance that will long live in fans memories, Crider got those 3 outs facing just 2 batters to end the threat. And then he came back in the top of the 10th to extinguish the Flames threat once again.
And oh, that bottom of the 10th inning. Down to its last out, Tech had seniors Corona and Adarius Myers on base. Junior speedster Thaxton Berch came in to pinch run for Corona, as redshirt freshman Grant Comeaux came to the plate. In the 4th inning, Comeaux had been hit in the face by a pitch. Faced with potentially being pulled in that 4th inning moment, Grant said no way and stayed in. With a bruised and swollen face and maybe some blood on his jersey, he dug deep and got his sole hit of the game. Comeaux hit a line drive through a gap between first and second, and Berch flew home to score the winning run for a 6 to 5 victory.
These Cardiac Canines just never give up. I’ve shared way too many head shakes and laughs with Coach Burroughs this season after countless dramatic endings for the Dogs.
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Atmosphere: 5/5
There’s just something special about a packed Love Shack. This was by far the hottest weekend of the year to this point, but Tech fans didn’t let it affect them. With temps in the upper 80’s to mid-90s and a heat index over 100, the Love Shack faithful showed up and showed out. Even with the sun blazing down on them, they continued to get loud and support the Dogs.
I honestly think the last time it was that loud was when Tech beat Southern Miss in the 2021 tournament. Saturday night was especially amazing to me. There were fans starting chants all over the park and the whole crowd got into them. At one point, the wave was going around the stadium. When the winning run was scored, you could barely hear the person sitting next to you. Even when Tech was down 4-0 Saturday night and also facing an even bigger deficit Sunday, that crowd wasn’t giving up on the Dogs.
When the Love Shack is rocking, you can feel the difference in the Diamond Dogs.
One last note, I was proud of the Love Shack crowd for sticking around on Sunday. Even when it was clear Tech wasn’t going to pull it off, they remained to give these players the support they deserved. And in a moment of true class, the crowd erupted in standing ovations as Coach Burroughs pulled some of his seniors in the 9th. There was even a curtain call for catcher Jorge Corona, who has long been a fan favorite and will go down in Tech history as one of the all-time greats.
The only thing I wish that could have been added to those 9th inning moments would be a chance for the last Junkyard Dog, Adarius Meyers, to get that standing ovation. He was the final player to have been on the team when the tornado hit Ruston. And even though he could have left, he chose to stay and stick it out. “AD,” as we’ve come to know him, was named a Bulldog Man prior to last season, meaning he is a team captain for life.
(Writer’s Note: My rating is based solely on Tech’s games, as I only saw a few moments of other games in person.)
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Facilities: 5/5
Yes, I will admit I am biased as a Tech fan. But the new Love Shack is one of the hidden gems in the South. From the open concourses to the “loyal blue” chairback seats lining nearly the entire park, it is something special. Really, there is not a bad seat in the house. Season tickets just about sell out every year. And as devastating as that 2019 tornado was, it gave Tech a chance to rebuild something special that will last for many years to come. Having a baseball specific facility attached to the park is a huge recruiting opportunity for the Tech staff. I was able to see it a couple of years ago after the inaugural season had ended. It really is top of the line with indoor batting cages, excellent training/meeting areas, and a first-class locker room.
I do know that teams also used the Ruston High facilities for their pre-game warm-ups. And while those are currently in the process of heading to renovation, they are still high quality and I’m glad they were available to help keep things running smoothly. Hopefully those upgrades will be finished by the next time Tech gets to host the conference tournament again.
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Special Recognition:
I just want to say the job that Gerald Jordan and the entire Tech staff did this past week was phenomenal. They had to deal with weather delays, schedule changes, etc. and never blinked. Coach Burroughs mentioned some of the Tech staff were literally sleeping on the couches in the baseball facility just to make sure things were going smoothly. But he also mentioned how many coaches and officials told him how impressed they were with how things went and also how great the staff was. In my opinion, it was clear that the Tech crew used that knowledge from the 2021 tournament and made the 2024 one even better.
The Aramark/Tech concession staff also continued the amazing job they had done all year. There’s no telling how many bottles of water and cold drinks were sold. Even during the rain delay Wednesday night, they were still cooking food and making sure fans were taken care of. But the fact that they continued the daily specials from the regular season when they didn’t have to shows how committed they were. They helped pull off an amazing hosting opportunity once again for Tech.
I also want to give a shoutout to Malcolm Butler. In addition to what he does on a daily basis for the Journal, Malcolm was also in the TV announcers booth for the tournament. Teddy Allen was supposed to do several of the games, but he unfortunately fell under the weather and was unable to. Malcolm stepped up and took over Teddy’s role, including calling just about every game Friday and Saturday. I saw him Saturday night and he jokingly said, “One more.”
I know every person who was working behind the scenes will definitely enjoy some rest and relaxation over the next couple of days before getting ready to support the Dogs as they head to Arkansas.
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Overall Score: 4.75/5
The only thing that could have made this tournament better was if the Diamond Dogs had pulled off a win Sunday. From top to bottom, this tournament was run with excellence and class. While it looks like it will be several years before the tournament returns to Ruston, this was definitely one that will go down as one of the best in recent memory.
I want to thank the Lincoln Parish Journal staff for giving me another opportunity to give my thoughts on Tech Baseball, this time regarding the C-USA Tournament. In early March the journal asked me to do a similar article on the “Battle at the Ballpark” tournament Tech participated in. And hopefully, there will be more tournaments to do similar things on in the near future.
A look in the rearview mirror at Louisiana Tech’s 2024 baseball season (so far) from someone who’s been there …
(Editor’s Note: Odd circumstances put me on the road with the team and, despite that, the guys ended up winning Conference USA’s regular season title and survived a metaphorical fistfight to finish runner-up in the conference tournament last week. They bring a 45-15 record and want-to into Friday’s 7 p.m. scrap against Kansas State, 32-24, in the Fayetteville Regional.)
Tech’s 12-0 start included its first road game of the year, a 20 hits, 13 runs whupping of McNeese in Lake Charles in cold weather, and by “cold” we mean 47-below 0. With a wind blowing in from left. It was so cold I saw a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets.
The final part of trip was a championship at the three-day Battle at the Ballpark in Sugar Land, Texas, which was a semi-synopsis of the whole season, minus the losses.
Tech beat Army, 4-0, scoring all the game’s runs in the eighth, the final pair on a homer by centerfielder Cole McConnell, who at that point in Tech’s 9-0 season had 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 homers, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts — and 0 singles.
Beat pain-in-the-ass Creighton, 12-0. Creighton’s voice carries, put it that way. The walk-off blow — a three-run, line-drive tater by Ethan Bates.
Beat Air Force, 8-5, after trailing 5-0.
Tech’s Bates was the DH and Reliever and MVP on the All-Tournament team — and was last week named the 2024 Most Outstanding Player in CUSA.
On the bus trip home, we started losing power near Grambling, regained it, limped off Interstate 20 and onto Tech Drive, and crawled to a stop at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in the middle of the night. Without anyone knowing it, we’d just experienced the season in mini-form: some blowouts, some tight wins, and some flats that almost made you pull over.
And it was only the first week of March.
In Miami for three games, three guys went for separate walks and were attacked by the same bird on the same morning, a Hitchcockian affair we all witnessed on the team bus to the game that afternoon when the same bird at the same spot attacked some unsuspecting sap. Major laughs. And sadly, the highlight of the 1-2 trip.
There was the hotel where you had to turn in a Magic Ticket for breakfast, and the hotel in Arizona that was probably nice — 40 years ago. Someone was always misplacing a wallet or phone. Someone was always looking for a bottle of water.
There were enough 7 a.m. bus rides to make you feel you were in third grade again. These early-morning taxis were due mainly to early flights. One plane trip a season is about it for mid-majors; Tech had four. Miami. Arizona. New Mexico. Virginia. Flying a college baseball team commercial is like turning around a battleship. In molasses. In wintertime. (Or in Lake Charles in late February.)
Commercial air travel with college baseball is a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey affair, a circus without the elephants and straw. If you come home with almost as many people and almost as much equipment as you left with, it’s considered a very successful trip.
As any team will tell you, the non-baseball parts are common. The baseball parts are different. That’s why lots of teams aren’t playing this weekend, and 64, like Tech, are. They’ve been good at the baseball parts.
A lot of those 45 wins and the positive reaction to a couple of particularly hard-knocks losses has been because of how this team of Dogs has gotten along, adjusted and adapted during the non-baseball parts. Doubleheaders and time changes and Saturday and Sunday pre-noon games.
Life asks you to adapt, just as you would to a new arm out of the pen or an error or a bad hop — or a kamikaze bird or late plane or lost luggage. We adjust or we don’t.
It’s a group of teammates who look forward to getting to the ballpark. When they get there again this weekend — and they will, somehow, some way, to baseball-friendly Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville — the baseball parts should be fun to watch. For sure, they’ve earned their way.
