Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech heads on the road today for an in-state matchup against McNeese Cowboys baseball at Joe Miller Ballpark.
First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT as Louisiana Tech (24-17, 11-7 Conference USA) looks to continue its recent success in the series against McNeese (21-19, 10-11 Southland Conference).
Despite the Bulldogs holding a 101-56 advantage in the all-time series dating back to 1954, the Cowboys claimed the most recent meeting earlier this season, earning an 8-3 victory on Feb. 18 in Ruston. Louisiana Tech, however, has won seven of the last eight matchups overall.
The Bulldogs also found success the last time they traveled to Lake Charles, sweeping the first two games of a series while outscoring McNeese 32-8, highlighted by a 21-5 win followed by an 11-3 victory.
Louisiana Tech’s offense has been led by sophomore first baseman Trey Hawsey, who ranks among Conference USA’s top hitters. Hawsey leads the league in total bases and entered the week among the top five in hits and home runs. He has recorded seven three-hit games and 18 multi-hit performances this season while carrying a team-best .323 batting average.
Hawsey also shares the team’s longest hitting streak this season at 10 games with Colby Lunsford. His 30 career multi-hit games are the most among active Bulldogs.
McNeese enters Tuesday’s contest following a series loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Cowboys opened with a 9-4 win before dropping the final two games, 7-6 and 9-5.
Danny Barbero paced McNeese offensively in the series opener, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. DJ Pinkerton added a triple and a home run with three RBIs, while Eric Nachtsheim earned the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
For the season, Matt Stancliff leads the Cowboys with a .329 batting average, 48 hits, 39 runs and 77 total bases while going a perfect 18-for-18 on stolen base attempts. Barbero ranks among team leaders with a .314 average along with highs in doubles (11), home runs (7), RBIs (39) and OPS (1.007).
Tuesday’s game will be available via ESPN+ and can also be heard on 97.7 FM and the Louisiana Tech Athletics app.
