Louisiana Tech set to take on Grambling

RUSTON, La. – With the end of the 2018 regular season looming, the Louisiana Tech baseball team will wrap up midweek non-conference play this Wednesday at Grambling.

Louisiana Tech (32-17, 15-9 C-USA) most recently dropped two of three to Middle Tennessee, but in the process, qualified for the 2018 Conference USA Baseball Tournament for the third consecutive year.

The Bulldogs currently reside in third place in the league standings, just three and a half games behind league leader No. 7 Southern Miss.

This will be the second of two meetings between the Bulldogs and Tigers this season, as Louisiana Tech took an 8-0 triumph in Ruston back on March 6.

Louisiana Tech left fielder Mason Mallard had maintained his unprecedented run in stealing bases – swiping three more bags this past weekend. Mallard is now 25-for-25 in stealing bases this year, and continues to lead all of college baseball with the most stolen bases without being caught.

His figure of 25 now leads all Conference USA and is tied for 18th most among all national leaders.

Leadoff man Hunter Wells has settled into the first base role, and continues to be a productive force at the top of the Bulldogs' lineup.

The versatile switch hitter leads the team with a .344 overall batting average and a .381 mark in league play.

His 72 base hits are the most by any one player in Conference USA and are 19th most nationally.

The Louisiana Tech pitching staff’s team ERA of 3.06 continues to lead the league and ranks as the 10th best mark in all of college baseball.

The Bulldog bullpen has stepped up in recent weeks, led by a solid last few outings from closer Kent Hasler.

The senior has not allowed a run in his last four appearances.

During that time (8 1/3 innings pitched) Hasler has scattered just three hits, while striking out 10 opposing hitters.

Hasler’s seven saves are tied for the third most in league play this season.

Louisiana Tech is slated to throw right-hander Tyler Follis (5-2, 1.77 ERA, 35 2/3 IP, 40 K, 15 BB), making his fourth start of the season, and his first since March 21 against LouisianaMonroe.

The Tigers will counter with fellow right-hander Kerry Boykins Jr. (3-2, 6.95 ERA, 33 2/3 IP, 19 K, 13 BB).

First pitch is set for 6 p.m.