Benton’s Allen earns Freshman All-America recognition after impressive year for Bulldogs

JOURNAL SPORTS

Benton product Thomas Allen, a right-handed pitcher for Louisiana Tech, was named a second-team Freshman All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Monday afternoon.

Allen is the first Bulldog to be named a Freshman All-American since 2022 when 2025 senior pitcher Ryan Harland was spotlighted.

A total of 34 standout freshmen college baseball players from every part of the country are featured on the Freshman All-American Team voted upon by the membership of the NCBWA.
 
Allen is just the eighth Bulldog in program history to be named a Freshman All-American. Prior to Harland’s selection in 2022, the last time the ‘Dogs had a Freshman All-American dates back to 2012 with Phil Maton selected and Ryan Gebhardt received the honors in 2011.
 
Allen swiftly rose as one of Tech’s top bullpen arms in his first season. He made 19 appearances, 18 in relief, posting a 3.54 ERA and a 5-3 record through 48.1 innings on the mound. He punched out 49 batters and opponents were held to just a .195 average at the plate. His five saves were the second-most on the team and tied for the sixth-most in Conference USA.
 
Allen’s .192 opposing batting average against CUSA opponents is the lowest average by a Bulldog pitcher since Tech joined the conference. His four saves in league play tied for the sixth-most by a Bulldog against league opponents, along with his 24 hits in CUSA play being the second-least recorded by a Tech pitcher.