Diamond Dogs Set to Open Season at Pepperdine
Louisiana Tech is set to open its 2018 season Friday afternoon in Malibu, California when the Diamond Dogs play Pepperdine. The Bulldogs and Waves will begin the four-game series Friday afternoon at 4PM CT, before playing a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1PM CT, and they will wrap up the series Sunday with first pitch set for 1PM CT.
After winning 36 games in 2017, Lane Burroughs and his staff will be breaking in a roster that features 22 new faces on the 35-man roster. Speaking about his re-made roster, Burroughs said, “We have experience, it’s just the unknown factor. Most of these guys have not played Division 1 baseball. It’s a little faster. I think we have good ball players, good character young men, it’s just a matter of getting that first pitch thrown, playing someone different, and seeing what we’re made of.” The Bulldogs were picked to finish 7th in the Conference USA preseason poll.
With so many new faces, the Bulldogs will need to gel early. When asked about the chemistry of his roster, Burroughs said, “I’m a big team chemistry guy, I think it’s huge. I think it can get you over the hump when things go bad. It seems like this team is really, really close, and you want that. I feel like these guys really, really pull for each other.”
Dalton Skelton is slated to start at shortstop for the Bulldogs and is the lone returning starter for the Bulldogs offensively. Parker Bates also saw action in 30 games last year.
Mason Mallard is expected to start in the outfield for the Bulldogs after missing 2017 due to injury. He gives the Diamond Dogs speed at the top of the lineup. After hitting 62 home runs a year ago, the 2018 Bulldog offense will have a different look. While speaking with BleedTechBlue.com, Burroughs said, “From an offensive standpoint, it’s going to be a lot different look, more of a pressure look, but I’m excited. I feel like this team this year will be able to [manufacture] better. We won’t be able to sit back and wait for the two-run homer.”
From a returner standpoint, the Bulldogs do have some experience returning on the mound. Matt Miller is expected to play a vital role in the Bulldogs weekend rotation and is expected to start Friday afternoon. Seniors, Kent Hasler, Graham Ahlrich, and Casey Sullivan will be relied on to anchor the bullpen. The bullpen is expected to be a strength in 2018 with Burroughs saying, “Our bullpen depth is way better than it was. There will not be a Nate Harris, but we have 5-6-7 guys down there that can go get us a punch-out when we need it. Athleticism and bullpen depth will be strengths of our club.”
Junior college pitchers, Logan Bailey and Logan Robbins, are expected to round out the weekend rotation and provide big innings for the Bulldogs in 2018. Bailey went 12-2 at Panola College in 2017 with a 2.45 era while striking out 104 in 80.2 innings. Robbins went 12-0 at Jones County Junior College with a 2.29 era in 66.2 innings.
When asked for some names to watch for from a newcomer standpoint, Burroughs said, “Hunter Wells is a switch-hitter from Tyler Junior College. Tanner Huddleston is a third baseman from Jones County that has some power. Logan Bailey is a left-handed pitcher; he’s probably pitched better than anyone on our staff. Steele Netterville is a guy, and Taylor Young [from West Monroe].”
Across from the Bulldogs this weekend will be the Pepperdine Waves. Pepperdine finished 2017 with a 20-32 record. The Waves were picked to finish 7th in the WCC preseason poll.
The Waves struggled a year ago offensively hitting only .246 as a team. Jordan Qsar is their leading returning hitter. He hit .269 with two home runs in 2017.
Wil Jenson is expected to get the start Friday afternoon for the Waves. Jenson went 2-8 with a 4.61 era in 2017. He allowed 101 hits in 82 innings pitched.
Stay tuned to BleedTechBlue.com for the best Louisiana Tech baseball coverage throughout the 2018 season.