PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

87. LOUISIANA TECH (33-25, did not qualify for NCAA post-season play).

Conference/Projected Finish: Western Athletic/3^rd (11-13, 5^th in 2006).

Coach: Wade Simoneaux (88-136, 4 years).

First Game: Feb. 3 vs. McNeese State .

OVERVIEW: After going a combined 76-148 in its first four seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, Louisiana Tech experienced a sharp turnaround in 2006. The player most responsible was freshman OF-RHP Jericho Jones, who led the team with a .365 average, 16 homers and 56 RBIs, and also tied for the team lead with five wins. Another freshman, 6-foot-9 RHP Luke Burnett (4-6, 4.23), wasn’t quite as dominant, but he has already surpassed Jones as a prospect and projects as a first-round pick in 2008. Red-shirt senior RHP Ryan Rupert, who has touched 93 mph, and 6-foot-5 sophomore RHP Dylan Moseley (3-1, 4.32) join Burnett in the rotation, while sidearming senior RHP Andrew Alsup (5-1, 3.05, 4 SV) returns as the closer. Junior OF Brian Rike (.320-8-34) is also back, while the infield will be beefed up by the transfer of three players from four-year schools, including senior SS Dennis Winn (.315-5-38 at Western Kentucky).

TOP PROSPECT/SOPHOMORE: Luke Burnett, rhp. An obscure 35^th-round draft pick out of a Louisiana high school, Burnett blossomed overnight in college on the strength of a fastball that peaked at 94 mph. His intimidating size and arm strength will make him a hot commodity a year from now.

TOP FRESHMAN: Chris Bohannan, of. TOP JUNIOR: Brian Rike, of. TOP SENIOR: Ryan Rupert, rhp.