Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech’s senior left-handed pitcher Luke Nichols has been named to the 2025 Preseason All-Conference USA, per the league office’s announcement Thursday afternoon.
And the Bulldogs were picked second in the preseason coaches poll, behind only Dallas Baptist.
“It’s always good to see our players be recognized for their hard work, sacrifice and commitment, and Luke definitely deserves this recognition,” head coach Lane Burroughs said about his standout pitcher.
Tech garnered 87 points in the poll, trailing only DBU’s 99. WKU, Sam Houston, Liberty, Kennesaw State, FIU, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State and Jacksonville State rounded out the poll.
Native of Bell City, Missouri, Nichols arrived in Ruston prior to the 2024 season as a transfer from Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. He earned First Team All-Conference recognitions after collecting a record of 4-4 in 17 appearances with 16 starts, as well as being named to the CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
He tossed a team-high 78.2 innings with 82 strikeouts, which ranked the second-most on LA Tech’s roster, while maintaining a 4.46 ERA.
“He was a weekend mainstay for us last year and, quite frankly, his numbers-especially wins and losses-should have been better,” Burroughs said. “He had some things go against him in games that was totally out of his control. It was great to see voters recognize his skill set last year and award him All-CUSA honors.”
Nichols threw the lone complete game for the Bulldogs against Western Kentucky on May 11 in a seven-inning run rule over the Hilltoppers. He posted a line of five hits, two runs, one walk and five punchouts in the 12-2 route.
He fanned a season-high nine batters against Liberty during the final regular-season weekend series. Nichols threw at least five strikeouts in eight of his appearances and recorded at least seven strikeouts in in four of his last seven appearances of the 2024 season.
“I know it’s coach speak,” Burroughs added. “But Luke and all of our guys will tell you that the only polls and accolades that matter are the ones at the end of the season, but it’s always nice to garner respect from your peers.”
Nichols and the Bulldogs open up the 2025 campaign on Friday, February 14 for a four-game series with the Maine Black Bears at J.C. Love Field.
2025 CUSA Baseball Preseason Poll
| Rank | School (first-place votes) | Total |
| 1. | DBU (9) | 99 |
| 2. | Louisiana Tech | 87 |
| 3. | WKU | 72 |
| 4. | Sam Houston | 56 |
| 5. | Liberty | 55 |
| 6. | Kennesaw State | 54 |
| 7. | FIU | 44 |
| T-8. | MTSU | 29 |
| T-8. | NM State (1) | 29 |
| 10. | Jax State | 25 |
CUSA Baseball Preseason Player of the Year
Grant Jay, DBU, C
CUSA Baseball Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Jerrod Jenkins, DBU, RHP
CUSA Baseball Preseason All-Conference Team
| Name | Yr. | Pos. |
| *Grant Jay, DBU | Jr. | C |
| *Michael Dattalo, DBU | Jr. | INF |
| *Luke Heefner, DBU | Sr. | INF |
| *Chayton Krauss, DBU | Sr. | INF |
| *Caleb Johnson, Jax State | Jr. | INF |
| Kishon Frett, FIU | R-Sr. | OF |
| Eston Snider, MTSU | Sr. | OF |
| Ethan Lizama, WKU | Sr. | OF |
| *Tom Poole, DBU | Sr. | DH |
| *Trace Phillips, MTSU | So. | UTIL |
| Jerrod Jenkins, DBU, RHP | Jr. | SP |
| *Luke Pettitte, DBU, RHP | So. | SP |
| *Luke Nichols, LA Tech, LHP | Sr. | SP |
| *Chandler Alderman, MTSU, LHP | So. | SP |
| *Dawson Hall, WKU, RHP | Jr. | SP |
| Bo Rhudy, Kennesaw State, RHP | So. | RP |
| *Ben Blair, Liberty, RHP | So. | RP |
*2024 All-Conference Honoree
