Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications and Staff Reports
Louisiana Tech’s Ethan Bates was named one of five finalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year award, announced by the College Baseball Foundation on Monday.
The Bulldog senior pitcher and DH joined Carson Benge (Oklahoma State/ Big 12), Jac Caglianone (Florida/ SEC), Cameron Jones (Georgia Tech/ ACC), and Austin Smith (San Diego/ West Coast).
Bates set a Louisiana Tech single season record and leads the nation with 17 saves this season. He has a 3.43 ERA in 36 appearances on the mound, with opponents hitting just .180.
The Hot Springs, Arkansas, native batted .337 with 87 hits, including 15 homes runs, and 74 RBI. He was two RBI short of tying Cole McConnell for the single season record. Bates was also named CUSA Player of the Year and to the 2024 Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List.
The award is named for former Washington State University standout John Olerud, who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year.
2024 JOHN OLERUD TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie, defensive lineman Jessie Evans, and quarterback Jack Turner will join head coaches and student-athletes from around Conference USA at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday, July 23 at the 2024 CUSA Football Kickoff.
This will be the first year the annual media event will be held at the Home of the PGA of America. All representatives will participate in a live ESPN+ show hosted by ESPN’s John Schriffen. A full schedule of events will be available at a later date.
Evans made an immediate impact during his first season in Ruston after transferring from Prairie View A&M in 2023. The senior appeared in all 11 games and made two starts while tallying 32 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and 2.5 in addition to a pass breakup. In the season finale at Jacksonville State, he recorded a season-high five solo tackles.
Turner appeared in eight games while making four starts in 2023. The Round Rock, Texas native completed 84 of 148 passing attempts for 1,017 yards and five touchdowns last season. In his first career start, he completed 27 of 42 passing attempts while throwing for a career-high 292 yards and one touchdown. His 292 passing yards were the most in a LA Tech quarterback in their first career start in the FBS since Luke Anthony threw for 314 yards in a 66-38 win over Houston Baptist on Sept. 26, 2020.
LA Tech has six home games at Joe Aillet Stadium for the second consecutive year. The Bulldogs will open the season with non-conference foes Nicholls (Aug. 31) and Tulsa (Sept. 21). Tech closes out the home slate in conference play with Middle Tennessee (Oct. 10), UTEP (Oct. 22), a homecoming matchup with Jacksonville State (Nov. 9) and Kennesaw State (Nov. 30).
Season tickets for the 2024 Louisiana Tech football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.
Marjorie A. Washington Thursday 02/12/1925 –Tuesday 05/28/2024 Funeral Service: Tuesday 06/04/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Tuesday 06/04/2024 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Kamora Kimble was the Lincoln Prep Valedictorian this year.
By T. Scott Boatright
Being named a valedictorian often means focusing primarily if not only on studies, sacrificing other wants to strive for academic perfection.
Lincoln Preparatory School Valedictorian Kamora Kimble credits her concentration on earning that perfect 4.0 grade point average throughout high school, but that didn’t prevent her from also focusing on other goals and activities during her years as a Lincoln Prep Panther.
“Time management — that was the hardest part of it all for me because I also worked at Chick-fil-A, so between doing that and focusing on my classwork, I stayed pretty busy,” Kimble said.
But that was only part of what Kimble took on as she was also part of Lincoln Prep’s chapter of the National Honor Society, volunteering for MedCamps and the school’s Teen and Police Service (TAPS) program, which was directed by the Grambling Police Department.
That program works with the National TAPS Academy, working with teens and law enforcement agencies in the Greater Houston Area; Columbus, Ohio; Upper Darby, Pennsylvania; Las Vegas; Lynchburg, Virginia, Washington DC and Grambling.
The TAPS Academy provides training for law enforcement officers and youth throughout the United States.
“And I also did a lot of volunteer-type work my junior and senior years,” Kimble said. “I was also the Football Sweetheart on the Homecoming court. Senior year was especially crazy. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.”
Kimble, the daughter of Lynelle Kimble and Jamar Kimble Sr., will head to Natchitoches later this summer to study to become a physician’s assistant at Northwestern State University.
“I want to do something where I can help and at first thought about studying to become a certified nurse,” Kimble said. “I also considered the business or records side in the medical field but wanted to be more hands on. I took a class at Louisiana Tech that showed me all the different paths of going into the medical field.
“Then I thought about the physician’s assistant aspect of becoming like a cross between a doctor and a nurse and decided that’s the way I wanted to go.”
Kimble believes that already having completed enough college coursework to earn an associate degree from Southern University at Shreveport has prepared her for the next steps she’ll be taking.
“I think I’ll thrive in college because I’ve already shown myself that I can handle those kinds of courses,” Kimble said.
The Peach Festival Parade rolled down a new route this year, and kids and adults alike stood on the sidewalks of North Monroe Street and West Alabama Avenue to see the floats and catch some candy.
Many of the attendees said the Peach Parade was one of their favorite parts of the day.
“We come to the Peach Fest every year, and the kids look forward to all parades,” said Ruston resident Taylor Allen. “The kids would say the candy is their favorite part. I would say I love it because it’s an added bonus for the kids.”
Seven-year-old Callie Hoefler was looking for Dots to be thrown at the parade, but she also enjoyed the floats.
“I like the fire truck,” Hoefler said. “And the sirens.”
Julie Mays attended with her family and said this was a tradition she’s had since before her children were born.
“We have been to the Peach Parade for many years,” she said. “One of our first Peach Parades was shortly after moving here, I believe in 2014.”
Once the parade was over, many festival-goers, including Mays, headed downtown for more activities.
“Kids Alley has been a great addition for us now,” she said. “We spend most of our time here before making a quick run through the crafts. The last few years, we’ve left the fest and driven out to Mitcham’s for ice cream.”
Ashley King echoed the sentiment, adding that the festival not having an admission charge also helped her celebrate all things peachy with her family.
“We usually attend the parade,” King said. “This is the first year in a couple of years we’re attending it all.”
Lane Burroughs has poked fun at himself a number of times over the past few weeks when he has gotten emotional talking about his Louisiana Tech baseball team.
He did it again Saturday during the post-game press conference after his Bulldogs saw a historic season come to a close in the Fayetteville Regional.
“You ready to see a grown man cry,” Burroughs asked the media prior to his opening statement.
He wasn’t kidding.
Burroughs has shed a tear or two-hundred the past few weeks, and each time he has mentioned his late father, Lavelle “Rube” Burroughs.
“As my dad got older, he used to always get emotional,” said Burroughs. “I used to be like, ‘You need to get a hold of yourself.’ But I know why now.”
So do we, Lane.
The tears were real. They weren’t orchestrated. They were genuine, and they showed Burroughs’ deep care and compassion for the young men he coaches on a daily basis.
“These guys mean a lot to me,” said Burroughs, choking back the tears. “I love them. They are like my own kids. I am extremely proud of them.”
In a day and age where college athletics is becoming more and more transactional and losing its interpersonal side due to things such as Name, Image, Likeness (NIL), collectives and the transfer portal, it’s this type of coach-player relationship that has allowed Louisiana Tech baseball to stiff-arm any type of major losses to the portal.
Men like Lane Burroughs and Mitch Gaspard and Cooper Fouts and Matt Miller have done such a stellar job of creating a program where guys want to stay for the entirety of their careers. Not an easy task in the current climate.
“I think culture is such a buzz word, and everybody uses it,” said Burroughs. “I am a huge team chemistry guy. I want our guys to like each other. I want them to love each other. I know a lot of coaches don’t put much stock in that.
“I always said when I am a head coach, I want our players and I want our coaches to pull up to the facility and want to go in there. I have been at programs as an assistant where you pull up and your don’t really want to go in. It’s not fun.
“Our guys are at the facility all the time. We run a player driven program. We tell every recruit that they have a voice. It’s not one of these my-way-or-the-highway type deals. Our guys have a voice. My door is open. Those guys come in there all the time. I let them have a voice.”
Some of those voices spoke about what their skipper meant to them during Saturday’s post-game.
“(Coach Burroughs) believed in me, and I can’t thank him enough for that,” said senior Adarius Myers. “I got a big place in my heart for Louisiana Tech and Coach Burroughs.”
“Coach has a special place in my heart,” said senior Ethan Bates. “He recruited me two years ago, and I am forever grateful for that. I would run through a wall for that guy right there. “
As the video of Burroughs’ emotional opening statement circulated throughout the social media world Saturday evening, even former Bulldog players talked about their feelings for LB23.
“This man and the coaches around him helped me be who I am, and I thank God for it every day,” said Cade Gibson.
“I can’t thank God enough for leading me to Louisiana Tech go give me the opportunity to play for this man right here,” said Parker Bates. “He’s a true selfless leader who cares about the well being of his players and strives to make them better men”
Even parents of current and former Bulldog players made their thoughts known.
“(Lane Burroughs) is one of the good ones,” said Lacy Knight, mother of former Bulldog Tanner Knight. “I will be forever thankful (Tanner) got the opportunity to play under him.”
“This man right here … my family and I are forever grateful for him,” said Stacy Young, mother of Taylor Young. “Taylor had the most incredible college career and it was all because of (Lane Burroughs). Baseball needs more leaders like L.B.”
“This is just a glimpse into why our boys would run through a brick wall for this man,” said Teri Netterville, mother of former Bulldog Steele and current Bulldog Slade. “He not only builds and develops them in this game that can sometimes bring you to your knees, but he builds and strengthens their character by his own example. We absolutely love and revere him.”
Strong endorsements from both the player and parent perspective.
Burroughs has now led the Bulldogs to three regional appearances in the past four years, and he has done it while graduating some of the most decorated players in program history.
He was the first to admit on Saturday that next year’s team “will have a different look” with the loss of guys like Bates, Myers, Cole McConnell, Jorge Corona, Reed Smith, Sam Brodersen and others. However, Louisiana Tech baseball has the right leader in place to groom the next crop of Bulldog greats.
“I want everyone out there to know how proud I am of this team,” said Burroughs. “And how proud I am to be the head baseball coach at Louisiana Tech. It’s one of my highest honors of my entire life.”
As a 1994 Louisiana Tech alum and a 25-year employee of the University’s athletic department, I appreciate not only the tremendous success in a challenging time, but even more so, I appreciate Lane’s genuine investment in his players and the Ruston community.
He is proud to be our coach. I, for one, am awfully proud he is. Tears and all.
Grambling Police arrested a local man Wednesday after he allegedly resisted arrest after he was found to be wanted on several warrants.
Ladarious L. Melton, 31, of Grambling, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by GPD about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday night. Police received a call to a Bowman Place residence regarding a vehicle being taken. The Buick Encore was spotted driving recklessly on R.W.E. Jones Drive.
When GPD attempted to stop it, the vehicle refused to stop and continued some distance. fore stopping. The female driver stepped out of the vehicle but Melton, the passenger, directed profanity at the officers and initially refused to exit the car.
When Melton did get of the vehicle, he threatened to beat up the officers. Two GPD officers and two Lincoln Parish deputies attempted to place Melton in the back of a patrol car. He refused to enter the vehicle and tried to push officers using his body. He was finally physically guided into the patrol car.
Melton was wanted on three arrest warrants from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear in Third District Court for DWI and traffic charges. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for four counts of resisting an officer and the three warrants. Later, a charge of misdemeanor probation violation was also added.
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.
Troopers have continued to investigate the crash that claimed the life of 82-year-old Geneva Williams. As part of the ongoing investigation, it was determined that 37-year-old Brittney Williams was impaired at the time of the crash.
On May 31, 2024, Troopers with the Louisiana State Police Troop F obtained an arrest warrant for Vehicular homicide through the 2nd Judicial District Court for Brittney Williams. Brittney Williams was subsequently arrested and booked into the Jackson Parish Detention Center without incident.
TROOP F ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE
April 19, 2024
Chatham Woman Killed in Jackson Parish Crash
Vernon – On Friday, April 19, 2024, shortly before 2:00 p.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on LA 146 near Nig-Dorsey Road. The crash claimed the life of 82-year-old Geneva Williams of Chatham.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2016 Nissan Sentra, driven by 37-year-old Brittney Williams, was traveling east on LA-146. For reasons still under investigation, the Nissan exited the roadway to the right and struck a tree.
Geneva Williams, who was properly restrained and the front seat passenger in the Nissan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Brittney Williams, who was properly restrained, received moderate injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make good decisions while in a motor vehicle. Never drive impaired, fatigued, or distracted. Follow all traffic laws and always ensure that every occupant is properly restrained. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.
In 2024, Troop F has investigated 10 fatal crashes, resulting in 11 deaths.
The 2024 “Run for the Peaches 5K” featured dozens of runners this past weekend who started and finished at Trinity Methodist Church while running along the Rock Island Greenway as the main part of the route.
And the best part? Nearly $6,000 was raised for Ruston High’s Cross Country team.
Race organizers Jeremy and Linzie Hebert took over the 5K program and wanted to raise funds for Ruston High, where Linzie was a cross country standout during her time as a Lady Bearcat.
“We took over the 5K because it’s something we’re familiar with,” Linzie said. “We’re very passionate about the program and want it to succeed. We wanted to make sure the kids have what they need.”
Ruston High cross country head coach Dustin Cochran expressed his appreciation to the runners and the Heberts for organizing the race.
“Last year, we had the opportunity to bring this race back, and the Heberts did an excellent job in the first year,” Cochran said. “They did phenomenally in promoting this thing, and it grew exponentially. It’s nice to give the people of Ruston something to do.”
The funds raised will make sure the students will be able to go to camp and get more equipment they need this year.
Thomas Rogers was the overall men’s winner running a time of 16 minutes, 47 seconds. Kimberly Morace won the women’s overall at 24:06.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Cole McConnell struck out swinging, Ethan Bates was caught looking at a pitch he felt was outside and probably was, Adarius Myers reached on an error and Michael Ballard lined out to left and that was it.
Maybe three minutes passed, handshakes and all with Southeast Missouri, and then Louisiana Tech Coach Lane Burroughs was in the dugout with his 45-19 team, champs of Conference USA’s regular season, around his neck a towel the Bulldogs refused to throw in.
But this was it. End of the road. Not a shock at all, really. If you’ve been paying attention lately, you might have gotten the feeling that the road was going to be just a little too long for what little gas the Bulldogs had left in the tank.
Saturday, for sure, was the last gasp. It ended in the Fayetteville Regional after the 9-3 loss to Southeast Missouri (35-26), and in the opening round game, a 19-4 shelling by Kansas State (33-24). Nothing left for the coaches to do but remind this bunch, the program’s first outright league champs since 1987, that they had nothing to be ashamed of, that getting doubled up happens, that it took nothing away from a 45-win season and a title, this spring a leap and then some from last year’s 28-31 disappointment.
Plus, the program’s third regional in four seasons.
Four months to remember.
You could make the argument that the spring ended before Fayetteville, that Tech ran out of coal to stoke the fire last Sunday in Ruston in the CUSA Tournament Finals, a 17-10 clawed-back loss to Dallas Baptist after the Dogs had fallen behind 6-0 in the first with no outs, 9-0 before the home team had even come to bat. It might have even ended the night before when a two-RBI double by Jorge Corona tied the game in the eighth and a Grant Comeaux RBI single won it in the 10th to complete a doubleheader sweep of Liberty, 8-7 and 6-5, just to get to the finals on a blistering weekend of sun and baseball, and more baseball.
“The days have sort of run together, as much baseball as we’ve been playing,” Myers, the oldest of the old Dogs, said after Saturday’s Regional loss to SEMO. “We didn’t come here expecting to lose.”
“We picked a bad weekend,” Burroughs said, “to not play good.”
The 9-4 lead after five innings that Kansas State went to bed with when rain suspended Friday night’s game quickly ballooned to 11-4 in the sixth and 14-4 in the seventh; that game was resumed at 11 a.m. Saturday, which meant SEMO, a loser in the regional opener to Arkansas, was waiting at 2. The Redhawks scored seven in the fourth and Tech stranded 11 runners.
One of the best fielding teams in the nation, Tech made four errors in the two regional games. Slow bats, slow feet, running on fumes. A league champ, the Bulldogs put themselves in the unenviable position of needing to hit seven-run homers in each of their last three games.
It was a fun ride, but all the checks had been cashed by what would be the season’s final weekend. The K-State game, when it was resumed Saturday, marked the sixth game this season the Bulldogs had started play at 11 a.m. or earlier, the 11th time this season the Dogs had gotten on a bus at 8 a.m. or earlier to go to either a ballpark or an airport.
The Dogs lacked one more big arm and one more big bat to make a serious run at Omaha this season, but they got all out of what they had. Forty-five wins — few of them were easy — is a lot, lot of wins. And 45 always makes you think you can get 46, and maybe 47, and who knows?
Sure was fun while it lasted. Speaking of …
In his final game after 50 seasons as the Voice of the Diamond Dogs, Dave Nitz called his final double play in the bottom of the seventh, 6-4-3, Kasten Furr to Michael Ballard to Dalton Davis. And at 5:08 p.m. Central Standard Time, he signed off a Tech broadcast for the final time in his sterling career, and neatly tucked the season in for all of us.
“For Jay Nitz this is Dave Nitz, bidding you a very pleasant evening from Fayetteville, Arkansas. So long, everybody.”
I ran the Peach Fest 5k this past weekend, and, y’all, I had forgotten how much I missed racing. I run pretty regularly – albeit on the treadmill – but there’s just something more special about running in an actual race.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not a particularly fast runner. I’m not running to come in first. I’m running for my own personal goals, which I think is one of the greatest things about running. You don’t have to run to win. You can run to beat your last 5k time, or you can just race to finish. Anything and everything is acceptable.
One of my colleagues from Tech, who also ran the race, talked about how she started running when she was getting her graduate degrees, and she said how rewarding racing was. She was working so hard on different papers and assignments in grad school, and while the reward for her diligence was a good grade, she said it just felt different with races. You get treats afterwards. Heck, you even get a medal. I didn’t even get a medal when I received my Ph.D.
So yes, this race was very enjoyable. It started at Trinity Methodist Church, went down to the Rock Island Greenway, which is such a beautiful area to run, and then circled back around to Trinity. Not only that, but shockingly, there were only two hills. Granted, they were at the end of the race, but that’s highly unusual for any race in Ruston.
My kids, who are also cross country runners, got to see their mom cross the finish line for the first time, too, which was incredibly special. Many thanks to my father-in-law, who made sure they were there to cheer me and Kyle across the finish line. I love that this is a family sport now that all of us get to do. I didn’t see them when I finished, but my older daughter came running up to me to give me the biggest hug she could, and that was such a wonderful feeling.
Even better – I was as shocked as anyone – I came in third in my age category. I’ve never won a running award in my life, but somehow, not only did I manage to get a time I wanted at 29:38, but I also got a fancy Run for the Peaches medal. That was a pleasant surprise.
So yes, it was hot, it was a little hilly, and it was even humid – but it was a heck of a good time.
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 Lincoln Parish Journal will send out the LPJ Digital Deals email each Thursday that will include coupons from local businesses, giving out loyal readers opportunities to take advantage of special savings from local businesses.
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.
Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Monday, June 3 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4 p.m.: Family storytime at Lincoln Parish Library 5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
Tuesday, June 4 10 a.m.: Storytime at Lincoln Parish Library 2 p.m.: Crafternoon at Lincoln Parish Library 4 p.m.: Giant Clue Teen Meet Up (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Fiber art meet up (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting (410 S. Farmerville St.)
Wednesday, June 5 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Job Fair Expo (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Thursday, June 6 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 2 p.m.: Tween STEAM (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: LOSFA with Kristi Clark (Dubach Room, Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Ribbon Cutting for Northern Louisiana Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation Center (118 S. Farmerville St.) 6 p.m.: Adult adventure journaling (Jack Beard Community Room, Lincoln Parish Library)
Saturday, June 8 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous waste material and recycling collection (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 6-8 p.m.: Miss Juneteenth Pageant (T.H. Harris Auditorium, GSU)
Sunday, June 9 2:30 p.m.: Poetry Contest (Grambling City Hall) 5:30 p.m.: Gospel Concert (Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Grambling)
Karsen Evans hit a solo home run in Tech’s 9-3 loss to SEMO Saturday in Fayetteville. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
By Malcolm Butler
An emotional Lane Burroughs sat before the media gaggle Saturday at Baum Walker Stadium following his team’s 19-4 loss to Kansas State and 9-3 loss to Southeast Missouri State.
With tears in his eyes, a frog in his throat and the voice of a 100-year-old man, he admitted his Bulldog baseball team didn’t play up to its caliber in either of the two losses in the Fayetteville Regional.
“The last two days are not indicative of who we are,” said Burroughs. “We did not play good. I am taking nothing away from Kansas State and SEMO. They are phenomenal baseball teams. They are well coached. We did not play good.”
The Bulldogs (45-19) fell behind early Friday night to the Big 12 Wildcats and trailed 9-4 when the game was delayed due to weather and then finally around midnight postponed until Saturday morning. The two teams came back at 11 a.m. today and K-State outscored Tech 10-0 the rest of the way to push the Bulldogs into the loser bracket.
Less than two hours after the completion of that game, Tech squared off against SEMO in an elimination game. The Redhawks used a 7-run fourth inning to ultimately build a big lead and never look back.
“We don’t make excuses, but we are out of gas,” said Burroughs. “The last three weeks have been tough on us. We won a regular season championship. We had a tough trip (to Liberty) with a doubleheader. We had to win all of those games. We had to sweep the last two weekends to win the regular season. We did that.
“Unfortunately, when we got into our (conference) tournament we had weather, we got into the losers bracket, and we played five games in 72 hours. Those guys left it on the field. We ended up running out of gas on Sunday. I think we did here too. I hate we didn’t play better.”
Tech entered the regional with a well-rounded squad. The Bulldogs ranked top 10 in the country in fielding percentage, owned over 80 home runs, and a pitching staff that kept it in games all season long.
None of those things were evident in Fayetteville. The Bulldogs committed four errors in the two games while hitting just one home run — Karsen Evans vs. SEMO — in the two games. The Tech pitchers combined to walk 10 hitters while surrendering seven home runs in the two losses.
“These last two days are not who we are,” said Burroughs. “These guys have so much to be proud of. It was a historic season. 45 wins which is the second most in school history. These guys mean a lot to me. I love them.”
Conference USA Player of the Year Ethan Bates, who began his career as a Razorback, pitched the final inning of the season finale against SEMO. Ironically, his first career collegiate appearance came against SEMO on February 27, 2021, as a Razorback.
“It’s tough on you mentally,” said Bates. “You get a delay before the game even starts. It sets your starters back and then you have to warm up again and do all of that. It was just a really long day. It just got to us I guess.”
Sixth-year senior Adarius Myers doubled home two runs in the 9-3 loss to the Redhawks. Myers said he felt like the team was ready to play despite the challenges of the past few weeks.
“We’ve played a lot of baseball the last couple of weeks,” said Myers. “It’s a challenge but it wasn’t anything we weren’t up to. I think we came out ready to play. I think we thought we were going to come back and win game one. We didn’t come out here expecting to lose. It was tough, but it’s just part of it.”
The Bulldogs competed in their third regional in the past four years.
Sometimes income can end up being more important than immediate outcome.
The Grambling State University baseball team hopes that pays big dividends in the future.
Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Grambling 12-4 in Saturday’s elimination game of the Texas A&M Regional at Blue Bell Park in College Station, Texas, but as much as falling stings, sometimes that only makes you get up stronger than ever.
“I’m proud of the way we competed throughout this tournament,” said GSU coach Davin Pierre. “This is high level baseball and we were in games with some of the best teams in the country.
We have a lot to grow from and we have put this program and Grambling State University on the map with baseball. We represented well — we showed them that, ‘Hell Baby, We Grambling!’ I’m excited about the future of this program. This is the beginning of something special.”
For the second day in a row, Grambling suffered a tough second inning, giving up four runs to the Cajuns before giving up four more in the third.
Grambling’s first run came in the bottom of the second as Murphy scored off a Vargas single.
After ULL added another four runs in the top of the third, Grambling scored its second run on a solo round-tripper by Cameron Bufford.
The Ragin’ Cajuns pushed it to 9-2 in the top of the sixth before Trevor Hatton smashed a two-run dinger to cut ULL’s lead to 9-4.
Kevin Davis Crume was born on February 14, 1962 in Roseburg, Oregon. He left this world unexpectedly and was received by his Heavenly Father on the morning of May 29, 2024 at 62 years of age.
Kevin moved to Ruston with his family in 1973 and graduated from Ruston High School in 1980 (Go Cats!). Kevin was a loyalist. After graduating from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor’s in Business and minor in Aviation (Go Dawgs!), he began working for his family businesses. Kevin’s devotion to family business carried through the duration of his life – D.C & Associates, CTS Trucking, Secur-It Self Storage, Ruston Country Club, and RE/MAX Results Realty. The example he set was embraced by his kids and the legacy of loyalty to family and community lives on.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing, hunting, landscaping, sports (Geaux Tigers!), music, a good meal, driving around, and he could take a nap anywhere at any time. Kevin didn’t need to have a reason – for a visit, to help someone in need, or to show up for his family and his friends. Being available and intentional was in his nature.
Quick-witted. Life-long learner. Matter of Fact. Hilarious. Dog Dad. A Listener. Caring. Sarcastic. Gentle. Patient. There is so much more to be said, but what an impact he has made.
Kevin is preceded in death by his son, Logan Joel Crume; his father, Donald Crume; his brother, Byron Crume and sister-in-law, Mary Crume.
Surviving to cherish his memory are, the love of his life Jenny Crume; oldest son, Brandon Crume (Blake Cooper); youngest daughter, Jordan Crume Mabry (Joanne); oldest daughter, Morgan Crume Fuller (Graham) with granddaughter Bobbi Anne Fuller and grandson Braxon Fuller. He is also survived by his mother, Charlotte Crume and sister Cheryl Hough (Vernon), mother-in-love, Cecelia (Granny) Hedrick, and father-in-law, Bob Hedrick (Lely) and “a boat load” of other loved ones.
Serving as pallbearers will be: Tim Clark, Bobby Crume, Joel Hedrick, Marc Richard, Tom Schneider, Dr. Patrick Stuckey with honorary pallbearers Jeff Hedrick and Gary Perry.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024, with the funeral to follow at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Ruston with Rev. Chris Craig officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations in Kevin’s name to First Baptist Church of Ruston or The Ruston Cultural District.
Marjorie A. Washington Thursday 02/12/1925 –Tuesday 05/28/2024 Visitation: Monday 06/03/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Funeral Service: Tuesday 06/04/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Tuesday 06/04/2024 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Sometimes income can end up being more important than immediate outcome.
The Grambling State University baseball team hopes that pays big dividends in the future.
Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Grambling 12-4 in Saturday’s elimination game of the Texas A&M Regional at Blue Bell Park in College Station, Texas, but as much as falling stings, sometimes that only makes you get up stronger than ever.
“I’m proud of the way we competed throughout this tournament,” said GSU coach Davin Pierre. “This is high level baseball and we were in games with some of the best teams in the country.
We have a lot to grow from and we have put this program and Grambling State University on the map with baseball. We represented well — we showed them that, ‘Hell Baby, We Grambling!’ I’m excited about the future of this program. This is the beginning of something special.”
For the second day in a row, Grambling suffered a tough second inning, giving up four runs to the Cajuns before giving up four more in the third.
Grambling’s first run came in the bottom of the second as Murphy scored off a Vargas single.
After ULL added another four runs in the top of the third, Grambling scored its second run on a solo round-tripper by Cameron Bufford.
The Ragin’ Cajuns pushed it to 9-2 in the top of the sixth before Trevor Hatton smashed a two-run dinger to cut ULL’s lead to 9-4.
Karsen Evans hit a solo home run in Tech’s 9-3 loss to SEMO Saturday in Fayetteville. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
By Malcolm Butler
An emotional Lane Burroughs sat before the media gaggle Saturday at Baum Walker Stadium following his team’s 19-4 loss to Kansas State and 9-3 loss to Southeast Missouri State.
With tears in his eyes, a frog in his throat and the voice of a 100-year-old man, he admitted his Bulldog baseball team didn’t play up to its caliber in either of the two losses in the Fayetteville Regional.
“The last two days are not indicative of who we are,” said Burroughs. “We did not play good. I am taking nothing away from Kansas State and SEMO. They are phenomenal baseball teams. They are well coached. We did not play good.”
The Bulldogs (45-19) fell behind early Friday night to the Big 12 Wildcats and trailed 9-4 when the game was delayed due to weather and then finally around midnight postponed until Saturday morning. The two teams came back at 11 a.m. today and K-State outscored Tech 10-0 the rest of the way to push the Bulldogs into the loser bracket.
Less than two hours after the completion of that game, Tech squared off against SEMO in an elimination game. The Redhawks used a 7-run fourth inning to ultimately build a big lead and never look back.
“We don’t make excuses, but we are out of gas,” said Burroughs. “The last three weeks have been tough on us. We won a regular season championship. We had a tough trip (to Liberty) with a doubleheader. We had to win all of those games. We had to sweep the last two weekends to win the regular season. We did that.
“Unfortunately, when we got into our (conference) tournament we had weather, we got into the losers bracket, and we played five games in 72 hours. Those guys left it on the field. We ended up running out of gas on Sunday. I think we did here too. I hate we didn’t play better.”
Tech entered the regional with a well-rounded squad. The Bulldogs ranked top 10 in the country in fielding percentage, owned over 80 home runs, and a pitching staff that kept it in games all season long.
None of those things were evident in Fayetteville. The Bulldogs committed four errors in the two games while hitting just one home run — Karsen Evans vs. SEMO — in the two games. The Tech pitchers combined to walk 10 hitters while surrendering seven home runs in the two losses.
“These last two days are not who we are,” said Burroughs. “These guys have so much to be proud of. It was a historic season. 45 wins which is the second most in school history. These guys mean a lot to me. I love them.”
Conference USA Player of the Year Ethan Bates, who began his career as a Razorback, pitched the final inning of the season finale against SEMO. Ironically, his first career collegiate appearance came against SEMO on February 27, 2021, as a Razorback.
“It’s tough on you mentally,” said Bates. “You get a delay before the game even starts. It sets your starters back and then you have to warm up again and do all of that. It was just a really long day. It just got to us I guess.”
Sixth-year senior Adarius Myers doubled home two runs in the 9-3 loss to the Redhawks. Myers said he felt like the team was ready to play despite the challenges of the past few weeks.
“We’ve played a lot of baseball the last couple of weeks,” said Myers. “It’s a challenge but it wasn’t anything we weren’t up to. I think we came out ready to play. I think we thought we were going to come back and win game one. We didn’t come out here expecting to lose. It was tough, but it’s just part of it.”
The Bulldogs competed in their third regional in the past four years.
