Louisiana Tech 2006 Schedule Saw Host of Tournament Teams

RUSTON - A total of eight teams that Louisiana Tech played in the 2006 season wound up in post season play. "If we had gotten the job done near the end of the year with New Mexico State and Sacramento State and had even split with Hawaii, we`d be in a regional," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "We would have been close to 40 wins. We were so close to a huge turnaround, and we`ll continue to push into next year." The Bulldogs saw Michigan, Texas-Arlington, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Hawaii, Fresno State, Baylor and Southern Miss on their schedule this past season and finished 10-12 against these teams. The Bulldogs swept Fresno State at home, had a six-run, two-out deficit comeback at J. C. Love Field against Mississippi State, and beat Michigan, Southern Miss and Baylor in the Baylor tournament. Even with such a difficult schedule, Tech finished 33-25, its best record since 1989. "We`re looking at more tough schedules in the future," Simoneaux said. "Tentatively, we`re looking at opening at home with Arkansas next year, so we have a bright future ahead."