In 2022, Louisiana Tech finished with a 43-21 overall record while also winning its first-ever Conference USA championship and earning a spot in the Austin regional championship. The ’22 season contained several other highlights including defeating the LSU Tigers twice, avenging a mid-season loss to Dallas Baptist in the Austin regional, and boasting a 24-8 record at J.C. Love Field. Entering his seventh season as head coach of the Bulldogs, Lane Burroughs aims to lead Tech to the illustrious College World Series in Omaha.
2023 Coaching Staff:
Head Coach | Lane Burroughs (205-111 in 6 seasons at LA Tech)
Hitting Coach | Mitch Gaspard (4th season)
Pitching/Catching Coordinator | Cooper Fouts (2nd season)
Associate Pitching Coach | Matt Miller (4th season)
Key Games in 2023:
Non-Conference | @ Ole Miss (2), @Arkansas (3), vs. Air Force (2), H/A w/ ULL (2), H/A w/ Southern Miss
Conference | vs. Charlotte, H/A w/ Dallas Baptist, @ FAU, vs. UTSA
Notes:
-Tech predicted to finish first in C-USA by the conference’s head coaches in 2023
-Jonathan Fincher voted as Preseason Pitcher of the year for the 2nd straight year
-Preseason Rankings: Collegiate Baseball (#40), College Baseball Nation (#43)
Projected Starting Lineup and 2022 Statistics
*players in bold indicate 2022 returners
LF/DH | #12 Phil Matulia (Sr.) BA: .252, RBI: 44, HR: 9
C | #11 Jorge Corona (Jr.) BA: .280, RBI: 62, HR: 16
1B | #24 Dalton Davis (Jr.) BA: .365, RBI: 53, HR: 8
2B | #3 Will Safford (RS So.) 6 games played
3B | #16 Ethan Bates (Jr.) BA: .324, RBI: 34, HR: 3
SS | #10 Logan McLeod (Jr.) BA: .280, RBI: 25, HR: 1
LF/DH | #6 Adarius Myers (RS Jr.) BA: .270, RBI: 29, HR: 4
CF | #5 Cole McConnell (Jr.) BA: .366, RBI: 76, HR: 9
RF | #30 Jonathan Hogart (Jr.) BA: .463, RBI: 85, HR: 12
Key Reserves: Brody Drost (potential opening night starter), Walker Burchfield, Colton Hegwood, Jeffrey Ince, Baylor Cobb, Karson Evans, Nick Alonso, Thaxton Burch
Projected Rotation and 2022 Statistics
Friday: LHP Jonathan Fincher (8-2), ERA: 3.52, K:73
Saturday: RHP Greg Martinez (3-1), ERA: 5.46, K: 58 or RHP Rawley Hector
Sunday: RHP Greg Martinez or RHP Rawley Hector (1-0), ERA: 7.98, K: 7
Key Relievers: RHP Landon Tomkins, RHP Ethan Bates (will also start at 3B), LHP Ryan Harland, RHP Reed Smith, RHP Grant Hubka, RHP Isaac Crabb, RHP Tanner Knight, RHP Nick Fraginals (Fr.), and RHP Jacob Havern (Fr.)
-Since official practices have started, RHP Justin Williams, LHP Caden Copeland, and RHP Alec Sparks have all been impressive and have a shot to emerge into the rotation. Sparks was an excellent JUCO player last year and is looking to build on that season
-Tech’s deep array of batters will be heavily relied upon after losing top-end production from Netterville and Young a year ago
-While having the projected pitcher of the year in C-USA, the Bulldogs will have the task of replacing 4 out of 5 of its top rotational pitchers from a year ago
-Freshman players Alonso, Hegwood, Evans, and Cobb will likely be given opportunities to prove themselves early in the season and potentially unseat a veteran starter
-Veterans that are expected to consistently produce hits and runs include: Matulia, McConnell, and team captain Adarious Myers
-Team is excited to show off fresh new uniforms that were recently unveiled
-Myers and Drost continue to compete for the starting spot in left field
-In Saturday’s scrimmage, Kyle Hasler and Will Safford hit back to back homers distancing 382 feet and 365 feet respectively
Notable Transfers:
Will Safford: Infielder (LSU)
Brody Drost: Outfielder (LSU)
Dalton Davis: Infielder (Tyler JC)
Jonathan Hogart: Outfielder (Wabash Valley College)
Ethan Bates: Infield/Pitcher (Navarro JC)
Rawley Hector: Pitcher (Texas A&M)
Top Draft Prospects with C-USA Ranking
2023
OF Cole McConnell (5)
RHP Greg Martinez (16)
OF Brody Drost (19)
C Jorge Corona (22)
2B Will Safford (33)
Conclusion
Making two straight regionals and winning the conference championship a year ago, the Bulldogs will have a clear target on their back entering 2023. Charlotte and Dallas Baptist are expected to be the largest threats to dethroning Tech, but also keep an eye on FAU and the 2022 conference championship runner-up UTSA. The veteran leadership throughout the roster should be a good indicator of expected consistency during the long season. There will be huge opportunities early in the year to prove their legitimacy against defending National Champion Ole Miss and #8 ranked Arkansas. Reaching the College World Series would be a cornerstone accomplishment for the Diamond Dogs and would continue the immense growth that the program has experienced in recent years.
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