By Hunt Palmer
LSU will take on UNO Tuesday night at The Box! pic.twitter.com/SmZ85NuqCo
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 17, 2025
The Tigers are rolling, winners of 15 straight games for the first time since the 2017 team got hot from May 11 through June 17 in Omaha.
The offense has consistently shown up and displayed a tremendous amount of versatility. Jay Johnson continues to use his depth in right field, at designated hitter and at third base.
Over the weekend, Michael Braswell started all three games at third as Missouri paraded three consecutive left-handed starters to the mound. Luis Hernandez also started all three games at catcher. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Tanner Reaves and Cade Arrambide in some capacity on Tuesday, whether that’s off the bench or in a starting role.
New Orleans comes to The Box without Tiger legend Blake Dean in the dugout. Dean left the Privateers abruptly on January 14 to pursue opportunities outside baseball. Over nine seasons, Dean’s UNO teams went 256-220-1 (122–113 in the Southland Conference). The Privateers posted a winning record in eight of his nine seasons and won 30 games five times.
Dax Norris has taken the reins this season, and UNO is off to a nice start. After sweeping Incarnate Word over the weekend, Norris’s club is 11-7 on the season. It’s been the offense that has led the way. UNO scored 30 runs over three games in San Antonio.
Four UNO regulars are hitting .370 or better, and the team is averaging eight runs per game.
PITCHING PLANS
LSU’s bullpen was taxed this weekend. Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores each lasted just 3.2 innings. That meant the Tiger relievers were responsible for 12.2 innings over the final two days of the series.
DJ Primeaux pitched in all three games. He’s probably down. Zac Cowan threw 35 pitches on Sunday. He might need a night off.
Most of the rest of the arms should be ready to go.
Jaden Noot did not pitch over the weekend. I’d expect to see him at some point. William Schmidt had a bumpy outing on Saturday. He’s a prime candidate for some work.
Cooper Williams and Jacob Mayers did not pitch over the weekend, either.
If LSU has a lead late, Casan Evans can probably work an inning after going 44 pitches on Saturday night.
BRYCE, BRYCE, BABY
Bryce Calloway has been a man on fire all season for UNO. He’s hitting .408 with eight home runs and 25 RBI in 18 games. He homered twice over the weekend and got seven hits.
He also pitches for UNO, having made four appearances on the season. He’s a 6-foot-5, 240 lbs., brute of a player. LSU will have to be very aware of Calloway throughout the ballgame.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
It’s worth mentioning that LSU’s defense has been exceptional.
Steven Milam and Daniel Dickinson have been so salty around the bag at second. Chris Stanfield and Derek Curiel have been great in the outfield.
Reaves has kicked a couple of balls at third, and catcher has had its early adventures. But overall, it’s been really, really good.
That’s always important on Tuesdays when the opponent is a little bit overmatched. UNO’s surest way to compete is by drawing walks and getting extra outs to work with thanks to charitable defense.
If LSU catches the ball, the Tigers should be in good shape to get the win and head over to Austin for a massive showdown.
