Uncover the Story Behind Louisiana Tech's Fall Baseball Journey
Scrimmages
In September and October, along with a single Wednesday in October, the 2025 squad engaged in intense scrimmages. Red vs Blue battles saw a mix of potential starters and reserve/rotational players. It was all about observing how players performed in game "situations." Many positives emerged from fall camp. New faces like freshman Trey Hawsey and transfers Garrison Berkley and Zeb Ruddell seized their opportunities and shined. Even two seniors who had been reserves for most of their careers, Thaxton Berch and Slade Netterville, pleasantly surprised with their summer work and game improvements. Among the pitchers, returnees showed their mettle, while transfers Logan Forsythe, Luke Cooley, and Owen Schexnaydre also stood out.
The scrimmages provided valuable insights into each player's abilities and potential, setting the stage for the upcoming season.
Fall Ball Game at Home vs Little Rock
Under partly cloudy October skies and in front of a great crowd, including many Little Rock fans, Tech split the day against the Trojans. Game 1 ended in a 10-7 loss, but Game 2 saw a walk-off Jake LaRocca single for a 5-4 win. Pitching was the dominant factor for Tech against Little Rock. Except for a couple of innings, the pitching staff looked confident and composed. Many newcomers made their case to be part of the rotation. However, Tech also had to adjust to pitchers in different uniforms. Once they settled in, they made solid contact. It was the first time with a full umpire crew, and adjusting to new strike zones after using the Trackman system was a challenge.
This game showcased Tech's ability to compete and adapt in different game situations.
Fall Ball Game on the road at Southeastern Louisiana (Hammond, LA)
Under mostly cloudy skies and with a predominantly Tech crowd, the Dogs took on Southeastern at "The Pat" in Hammond. Unlike the games against Little Rock, hitting was the bigger factor. Despite losing both games (8-5 and 9-8), the bats kept Tech in the games. The second game felt like a heavyweight boxing match, with the team giving it their all. Unfortunately, mental mistakes at crucial times cost them both games. These mistakes highlighted the importance of focus and concentration in games.
Overall, this road trip presented both challenges and opportunities for the team.
Thoughts on the 2025 schedule
The 2025 schedule is truly interesting. It opens with the Maine Black Bears returning to Ruston, as Tech last played Maine in 2020 during J.C. Love Field's reconstruction. Rivalries are renewed with single games at LSU and hosting Grambling State. Tech will play ULM and ULL home and away as usual. The first 16 games have 13 at home, against teams from the Southland, American, and Sun Belt Conferences. This home stretch is crucial for building rhythm and chemistry.
Following this, a two-week road trip (March 12-23) could set the tone for the season. Games against Oklahoma in Norman and Wichita State present tough challenges. A brief home game vs ULM is followed by a trip to Huntsville for conference play. DBU comes to town in late April, and Tech will also travel to Sam Houston and Western Kentucky. Newcomer Kennesaw State is a potential conference dark horse. It's an winnable schedule with some tough stretches, but Coach Burroughs continues to find hidden gems through recruiting and the transfer portal.
Overall, there's a lot to look forward to in the 2025 season.