LSU Baseball
By Hunt Palmer
The baseball season is finding its rhythm. Maybe LSU can, too.
After a choppy first three weeks and a Thursday-Saturday series on the second weekend of conference play, LSU is now set in a Tuesday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday cadence for the next six weeks.
Southern makes the drive in from north Baton Rouge on Tuesday for a midweek matchup. Like LSU, Southern dug a huge hole on Sunday and climbed all the way back to win. The Jaguars trailed Prairie View 7-2 and scored seven runs in their last two at bats to win 9-8 and claim the SWAC series.
They’re off to a 10-16 start to the season, but the Jaguars did handle McNeese last week 6-2. They outhit the Cowboys 13-5 and never trailed. That’s a McNeese team that came to Alex Box Stadium in February and dealt LSU its first loss of the season.
It’s unfortunate to have to throw labels on games like this, but LSU really can’t afford to drop Tuesday night’s game. The Tigers, though the season is only halfway over, don’t need the metrics hit that a SWAC loss could provide. Five non-conference losses isn’t a death blow, but adding a sixth to a team with an RPI that is currently No. 271 and won’t likely move up much from there is just not advisable.
Jay Johnson called Grambling a “must win” two weeks ago. You can lump this one in with it.
CADE AT CATCHER?
The weekend came and went without Cade Arrambide playing at all. That raised some questions, and Johnson said on his Monday night radio show that Arrambide has “a little nick”. He was not listed on the availability report on Thursday night. He could be available on Tuesday.
Southern runs as much as anyone on LSU’s schedule. With 75 stolen bases on 95 attempts this year, they’ll be the most aggressive opponent LSU plays. Arrambide and Omar Serna have had their issues throwing the ball this year. Johnson may want to look at using his left-handed pitchers for extended outings and deploying some pitch outs with his right handers.
PLAY WITH PASSION
Kentucky brought out some fire in LSU over the weekend. All of those antics in the other dugout sparked the Tigers. Carry that over.
I know, it’s a Tuesday night against Southern with less than half the people in the crowd. That doesn’t bring a lot of juice. Bring your own. LSU needs to make a conscious decision on Tuesday night to be the more aggressive and passionate team. Use the spark that was created from down seven on Sunday to try to create a little run here.
I don’t need more 35-foot bat flips or Johnson bowing up to the opposing dugout every night. But fist pump a strikeout from the mound. Celebrate RBI hits. Ask the crowd for some noise when the pitcher gets two strikes.
This LSU team has been stuck in the mud for a month. Maybe the weekend was a step out. Use it.
PATIENCE PLAYS
Think LSU has walked a lot of hitters? The Tigers have, 135. Southern has walked 185. That’s 50 more. Jaguar pitching has also hit 48 batters to LSU 37.
There is no need for LSU to extend the strike zone on Tuesday night. One, Southern isn’t in it a lot. Two, the Jaguars aren’t going to feature a bunch of arms who can strike LSU out. So, patience and working counts won’t often put the hitter at too much of a disadvantage.
First pitch is set for 6:30 at Alex Box Stadium. Those in Baton Rouge can listen on the flagship home for LSU sports, Eagle 98.1 FM.
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