Louisiana Tech Baseball continued their impressive start to the 2026 season with an 8-5 victory over Northwestern State on Tuesday night at the Love Shack in Ruston. The win improved the Bulldogs’ record to 8-1, marking their fourth consecutive victory and representing one of the program’s best starts in recent decades. This triumph showcased the depth of Louisiana Tech Baseball’s roster, particularly the contributions from several key freshmen and underclassmen.
The Diamond Dogs’ 8-1 record ties their best start through nine games during the Lane Burroughs era, according to the university. It also marks just the third time since the 1984 season that LA Tech has achieved an 8-1 or better start, highlighting the historical significance of this early-season performance.
Freshman Talent Drives Louisiana Tech Baseball Success
Freshman pitcher Thomas Allen earned his first collegiate win in just his second career relief appearance. The Benton native delivered an outstanding performance, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out five batters. Additionally, freshman second baseman Casey McCoy made a significant impact with a massive 408-foot home run over the left field wall in the fourth inning that effectively put the game out of reach for Northwestern State.
Sophomore left-hander Landon Fontenot continued his efficient midweek pitching performances, tossing three scoreless innings for the second consecutive outing in 2026. The southpaw allowed just one hit with no walks while recording four strikeouts, setting the tone early for the Bulldogs’ pitching staff.
Offensive Production and Defensive Excellence
The Bulldogs struck first when Colton Coates led off the game with his second home run of the season. However, the decisive offensive surge came in the third inning when Louisiana Tech plated three runs with two outs. Colby Lunsford initiated the rally with a double to right-center field, extending his hitting streak to nine games.
Sebastian Mexico followed with an RBI single through the left side of the infield. Lunsford scored the third run of the inning on a controversial play at the plate where obstruction was called after an official review, despite the runner appearing to be tagged out. Wesley Scott drew a walk before Cade Patterson delivered an RBI single on an 0-2 count, and Eli Berch capped the inning with another base hit.
Bullpen Dominance Secures Victory
The Bulldogs’ pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts against just three walks, demonstrating exceptional command throughout the contest. Nate Crider provided crucial middle relief, starting the eighth inning with back-to-back strikeouts before inducing a groundout on a 3-2 count. Meanwhile, Riley Fisher earned his first save as a Bulldog, striking out two batters in the ninth inning despite allowing a pair of singles.
Head Coach Lane Burroughs praised his team’s performance, particularly highlighting the bullpen’s effectiveness and the squad’s defensive excellence. According to Burroughs, the team committed no errors for another consecutive game, underscoring their fundamental soundness. The coach also emphasized the importance of winning midweek games at their competitive level.
Building Momentum Against Conference Rivals
The victory extended Louisiana Tech’s winning streak against Northwestern State to four games and marked the fourth win in the last five home meetings between the two programs. The Demons were held to just three hits over the final four innings, demonstrating the Bulldogs’ pitching depth and ability to shut down opposing offenses late in games.
Louisiana Tech will face their biggest test of the young baseball season when they host No. 12 Southern Miss in a three-game weekend series beginning Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m. This will represent the Bulldogs’ first regular-season home game against a ranked opponent since defeating No. 2 LSU in 2022, providing an opportunity to further establish their credentials as a championship contender.
