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Preview: LA Tech vs. UL-Lafayette
A new article has been posted on www.latechsports.com:
RUSTON – The Diamond 'Dogs (20-12, 6-2 CUSA) are ramped up for a midweek contest in front of the home fans with the UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns on Wednesday, April 9 at 6 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs took the first season matchup in Lafayette with a blowout 16-6 victory at M.L. 'Tigue' Moore Field.
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Discuss it here.
ULL leads the all-time series 71-60. Not too surprising. But we have been closing the gap!
Just win. Go Dawgs!
A bit of a teeter totter game at times. Tech did enough to eke it out but didn’t exactly capitalize on all the opportunities they had. Hopefully we’ll keep up playing well balanced games. Safford’s hanging in there being lucky in the number of times he’s getting to sacrifice bunt.
We sure do pop up a lotBut, do lead CUSA in most walks and fewest strikeouts, so the team is maxing out its limited offensive capabilities. Safford could learn a few things from ULL's hitters who bunted for base hits. No need to pick on Safford though, the whole team struggles at the plate. Good to see Ballard hitting better, has his average up to about .300 now. His attempted inside-the-park HR was a bit ambitious! Big Jorge Corona hit an inside-the-park homer...and he was a catcher
Overall, good job Diamond Dawgs! Keep it rolling!
This team is averaging over 8.5 runs over it's last 16 ballgames - no bad for an anemic offensive club -
Safford is never going to hit for a high avg - he is playing because of his glove and defense, anything we get on the offensive side is a bonus - his ability to bunt in crucial situations led directly to 3 runs, was part of two rally squashing twin killings and snagged a shoe top line drive that ended an inning also with runners in scoring position
If you want to gripe about weak defense - its on the corners, especially at first base
''Don't be a bad dagh..."
I get everyone defending Safford. Unfortunately the truth of the matter is that the situations are coming when Safford bunting isn’t going to be what’s needed from his bat and him swinging for the fence isn’t going to come through just like it already hasn’t so far this season. I really wish he’d work on just directing contact hits to green grass in the middle outfield areas. As for his defense if you’ve been paying attention he plays a lot up the middle and not so much in the true shortstop spot. Granted this helps in some double play situations but there are plenty of balls he can’t even make a play at because he’s out of position. His defense is also limited by his smaller size. He simply doesn’t have the leg and arm length to stretch out and make the surprising play. There definitely is a point to our first base defense. Hawsey has a tendency to try to make plays that are too far from the base and then he’s nowhere near covering the base for the throw. If y’all remember, Burroughs has said, “the game will find you” and he’s right. A player can play hide and seek with trying to slip and slide through the game but eventually in the biggest moments when things are the most costly a player’s weaknesses will be revealed. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that our defensive efforts keep slipping and sliding from being exposed. Additionally our backup 3rd basemen and catcher need more playing time for the crunch time of the season. We all know Burroughs has a tendency to wear out his first teams and primary pitchers. He’s on that same path again this year.
I know at least one Tech fan who will be thrilled when Safford has exhausted his eligibility....
Meanwhile, since it is apparent LB has entrenched Safford as our starting SS, which means playing that position about 99% of the innings, I hope Safford can find ways to contribute to a winning team. I find myself rooting for him when he comes to bat. It's like, come on now, don't help the pitcher, only swing at strikes, and getting a walk is good!
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