Tag: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Former LSU outfielder Zeb Ruddell commits to another Louisiana team

The former No. 1 outfielder in the state is heading to Louisiana Tech after two seasons with the Tigers.

Former LSU baseball outfielder [autotag]Zeb Ruddell[/autotag] has found a new home, and he won’t have to go far.

Ruddell, who ranked as the No. 1 outfielder and No. 3 overall player in the state of Louisiana coming out of high school, is heading to Ruston as he announced his transfer to Louisiana Tech, which reached the NCAA tournament’s Fayetteville Regional this season.

After redshirting as a freshman in 2023, the Monroe native played for the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken Collegiate League last summer. He ultimately appeared in just 15 games as a redshirt freshman in 2024, batting .200 in 10 at-bats with a double, a home run, four RBI, three strikeouts and three walks.

Though it didn’t work out in Baton Rouge, Ruddell is a talented player who could still develop into a star for the Bulldogs.

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LSU lands Louisiana Tech punter Blake Ochsendorf in transfer portal

The Tigers have seemingly found their replacement for Jay Bramblett in the seventh-year transfer punter.

LSU seems to have found its successor for punter [autotag]Jay Bramblett[/autotag].

On Monday, the Tigers added Louisiana Tech punter [autotag]Blake Ochsendorf[/autotag] via the transfer portal. A native of Savage, Minnesota, who is entering his seventh season of college football, Ochsendorf began his career at Minnesota State University Moorhead before transferring to Eastern Michigan.

After not appearing in any games in his three seasons with the Eagles, he joined the Bulldogs in Ruston, where he became one of the top punters in Conference USA this season. His 45.72 punt average led the league and ranked 16th nationally.

That mark also set a program record for the all-time career lead at Louisiana Tech (minimum of 50 punts).

Ochsendorf is a solid replacement for Bramblett, who followed [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] from Notre Dame. Bramblett ranks fourth in LSU history for career punting average despite seeing very limited action due to how explosive the offense was the last two seasons.

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Conference USA Player of the Year Isaiah Crawford to remain in 2024 NBA draft

Crawford was just the third player in Conference USA history with at least 60 steals and 50 blocks in a season.

Louisiana Tech senior Isaiah Crawford will reportedly remain in the 2024 NBA draft and forgo his final year of eligibility, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Crawford was named the Conference USA Player of the Year after averaging 16.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks on 41.4% shooting from 3-point range. He registered nine 20-point games, including a career-high 30 points on Jan. 20.

The 6-foot-6 forward was also named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. He ranked 16th in the country in defensive rating and was just the third player in conference history with at least 60 steals and 50 blocks in a season.

Crawford was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament last month as one of the top seniors in the country. He also participated in the G League Elite Camp, averaging seven points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in two scrimmages.

The 22-year-old isn’t projected to be drafted but is viewed as one of the top defenders in the class. He likely received positive feedback from team executives and scouts, prompting him to remain in the draft rather than return to school for one more year.

Crawford will have the opportunity to improve his stock in team workouts and interviews over the remainder of the predraft process. He has already worked out with Minnesota.

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Instant Analysis: LSU baseball takes care of business against Louisiana Tech

The LSU bats were on fire as the Tigers run-ruled the Bulldogs 11-1 in eight innings.

The LSU bats were on fire as the Tigers run-ruled the Louisiana tech Bulldogs 11-1 in eight innings.

The LSU bats wasted no time getting a strong lead against Louisiana Tech. The Tigers scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning as [autotag]Hayden Travinski[/autotag] hit an RBI single, [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag] hit an RBI single, [autotag]Michael Braswell III[/autotag] hit a two-RBI single, and Pearson stole home to give LSU a 5-0 lead.

The Bulldogs scored a run in the top of the second inning but LSU got that run back plus one more in the bottom of the second [autotag]Jared Jones[/autotag] hit a two-RBI homer to increase the lead to 7-1.

LSU then scored one run in the bottom of the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh inning to give the Tigers an 11-1 run-rule victory over Louisiana Tech.

LSU welcomes the Florida Gators into Baton Rouge for a weekend national championship rematch. The Gators will enter the weekend series as a top-10 team.

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LSU softball remains unbeaten after taking Sunday doubleheader

The Tigers are 19-0 as they prepare for SEC play, which begins next weekend.

LSU softball’s hot start to the 2024 season continued over the weekend, moving to 19-0 after it capped things off with a Sunday doubleheader that featured a 2-1 win over McNeese and a 2-0 win over Louisiana Tech.

[autotag]Sydney Berzon[/autotag] was the star of the first game against the Cowgirls, as she tossed a complete game and allowed just one run, which came in the fifth and broke a 0-0 tie. LSU answered in the bottom of the inning with a pair of RBI singles that gave it the decisive 2-1 lead.

In Game 2, it was a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning when [autotag]Maci Bergeron[/autotag] hit a two-RBI single, which resulted in the Tigers’ only runs of the game. [autotag]Kelley Lynch[/autotag] pitched a complete game shutout.

With the weekend series in the books, SEC play is now set to begin for the Tigers. First up will be a road series against Kentucky beginning on Friday.

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LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey honored with statue at Louisiana Tech

Kim Mulkey won a pair of national titles with her alma mater, where she also served as an assistant from 1985-00.

[autotag]Kim Mulkey[/autotag] is a legend in the state of Louisiana, but not just for bringing LSU’s women’s basketball program its first national title as a head coach.

She was also a star player during her college days at Louisiana Tech. Mulkey, an All-American point guard, led the Lady Techsters to two national titles — one in the AIAW in 1981 as well as the inaugural NCAA title in 1982.

She was later a long-time assistant with the program, serving on the staff in some capacity from 1985-00.

Mulkey was honored by her alma mater on Wednesday night as one of six accomplished alumni to receive a statue in the Sarah and AL Williams Championship Plaza. Mulkey is joined by Terry Bradshaw, Fred Dean, Karl Malone, Willie Roaf and Teresa Weatherspoon.

Since leaving Ruston, Mulkey has become a four-time title-winning head coach, earning three during a 22-year stint at Baylor and her most recent this past season during her second campaign with the Tigers.

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Early execution among the three offensive keys to a Sooners win vs. SMU

Offensive keys to the game when the Oklahoma Sooners take on the SMU Mustangs.

Oklahoma enters Saturday’s matchup with SMU on a four-game winning streak against the Dallas-based institution. The last time these two schools played each other was 1995. Things have changed drastically in both programs since, and it’ll be interesting to see how things shake out on the field come Saturday evening in Norman.

Oklahoma’s offense put on a clinic against Arkansas State and will carry it into this game. Here’s the skinny on this game: expecting Oklahoma to put up another 73 points is highly irrational.

That doesn’t mean Oklahoma shouldn’t be able to score in the 40-point range, but from a pure talent perspective, SMU’s defense is better.

The Mustangs are full of veteran players, and that veteran leadership is precisely why they are one of the favorites to win the American Athletic Conference.

They will be unphased, with 15 seniors starting on both sides of the ball. Many have played at more prominent institutions and seen teams of Oklahoma’s size and talent before making their way to Dallas.

For this offense to uphold its end of the bargain, it’ll likely need to do what we highlighted in our three keys for this week.

Up Next: 3 Keys on Offense vs. SMU

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Know the Foe: 5 Mustangs to know before Oklahoma Sooners vs. SMU

Oklahoma will take on the SMU Mustangs. We take a look at five players to know for this Saturday’s matchup.

Oklahoma has turned the page on Arkansas State and is in preparation mode for their second game of the season. SMU will make the trip from Dallas to Norman for Saturday night’s matchup.

Oklahoma comes in with a nice boost of confidence after dismantling the Red Wolves last week 73-0. SMU comfortably handled Louisiana Tech 38-14. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee is someone Brent Venables has locked horns with before.

Lashlee was previously an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Miami in 2020. In that game, Venables and the Clemson Tigers held the Hurricanes in check in a 42-17 win.

SMU provides a bump in competition for the Sooners, especially at the skill positions. They have several talented players and are more dynamic than what Oklahoma saw in their first game.

We’ve highlighted five Mustangs you need to know before Oklahoma hosts SMU on Saturday.

Oklahoma sends out offer to three-star WR KJ Daniels out of Louisiana

Oklahoma offers a three-star WR from the state of Louisiana in KJ Daniels. Daniels also plans to visit on March 4th.

Oklahoma’s offer explosion has simmered down as of late. While they aren’t shooting out offers nearly as frequently as they were, the Sooners have identified another target they deem worthy of an offer.

Recently, the Sooners offered three-star KJ Daniels out of Louisiana. Daniels is a small but explosive wide receiver that projects to play in the slot due to his size.

Daniels, a 2024 prospect, still has one more season of high school to play. His recruitment has seen notable movement over the last few months and just looking at his offer sheet, the Sooners are far and away the most prestigious program on his list.

The Sooners’ offer resonated with Daniels, who confirmed his intentions to visit Norman for one of Oklahoma’s recruiting weekends in March. Daniels will be on campus on March 4th.

KJ Daniels’ Recruiting Profile

Hudl

LSU softball continues perfect start with win over Louisiana Tech

The Tigers are 11-0 after a 3-1 win on Tuesday night.

Editor’s Note: The following is an official press release courtesy of the LSU athletics department.

RUSTON, La. – Sophomore McKenzie Redoutey hit a pair of solo shots to help No. 14/15 LSU defeat Louisiana Tech, 3-1, Tuesday night at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

Redoutey finished 2-for-3 at the plate and recorded her seventh career multi-hit and multi-RBI game. By hitting her fourth and fifth caree home runs, Redoutey became the first Tiger with multiple homers in a single game this season and first since junior Taylor Pleasants did it last year against McNeese. Junior Ciara Briggs was also 2-for-3 at the dish, recording her 45th career multiple-hit game.

Sophomore pitcher Raelin Chaffin got the start Tuesday and threw four strikeouts and gave up two hits and three walks through 4.0 innings. Freshman Sydney Berzon entered the game in the bottom of the fifth and earned her fourth win of the season striking out three batters and gave up four hits, one walk and no runs in 2.2 innings. Graduate Ali Kilponen replaced Berzon with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and struck out the final batter of the night to be credited with the save. Kilponen has two saves this season and now ranks No. 4 all-time with seven career saves.

Junior Ciara Briggs had two hits on the night, putting her in a tie for 11th most in the nation this season. Freshman Maci Bergeron joined Redoutey in the RBI column, tallying one on an RBI-double in the top of the sixth.

After both clubs went scoreless in the first inning, Redoutey led off the inning with a solo shot straight to center field for her first home run of the season. The pitchers battled in the third and fourth inning without giving up a run, but the Lady Techsters tied the game in the fifth thanks to an RBI single from Brooke Diaz.

The Tigers responded in the top of the sixth when Redoutey crushed her second homer of the game – a two-out longball to right field. Junior Ali Newland singled to center field before freshman Maci Bergeron brought her home on an RBI-double to give the Tigers a 3-1 advantage.

LA Tech threatened with the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the sixth, but Pleasants made a play at the plate to save a run and Berzon struck out her third batter of the night to end the inning.  LSU could not cross another run in the seventh and after two quick outs in the bottom half inning, Berzon gave up a single and a walk before calling it a night. Kilponen replaced Berzon with one out left to get and secured the victory with a strikeout.

On Deck

LSU will finish its road trip with a 6 p.m. game tomorrow against ULM at the ULM Softball Complex in Monroe, La.

Directly support LSU Softball by joining the Diamondbackers today!

 For the latest news and information on Tiger softball, visit www.lsusports.net/softball. Fans can also follow the team on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lsusoftball and @lsusoftball on Instagram and Twitter.