LSU searching to stop skid at Northwestern State visits

By Hunt Palmer

Jay Johnson said Sunday LSU just needs to win a game.

The Tigers haven’t earned a victory since the wild comeback win on Easter at Tennessee. Bethune Cookman handled LSU in the midweek, and Ole Miss swept LSU out of Oxford over the weekend.

Almost every phase of the game has become a real struggle for LSU. That’s certainly been true in midweek action. The Tigers lost to McNeese, Northeastern and Louisiana-Lafayette over an eight-day span early on. Things had been steadied a little bit until the Bethune Cookman effort.

Northwestern State handed LSU its only midweek loss of the season last year. The Demons waited out a long rain delay and then 10-runned the Tigers 13-3.

INJURY UPDATES

Johnson gave an update on his three injured veterans.

Chris Stanfield was feeling better after treatment on Monday. He’s projected to be available for Tuesday’s game after crashing into the wall in Oxford on Sunday. Stanfield’s left hand has been a problem since the second game of the season, but he’s playing through it.

Seth Dardar‘s scary slide into second against Bethune Cookman is still lingering. Dardar gave it a go on Friday and Saturday in Oxford but had to be removed from Saturday’s game. It’s an ankle issue that is going to take some time to heal.

“I don’t think it’s a long-term thing,” Johnson said at his radio show on Monday. “He’s just a little beat up. I thought it was a courageous effort by Seth to try to play, but I think it set him back a little bit.”

That would suggest LSU needs a different option at second base. After his big hit on Sunday, Brayden Simpson is the most likely candidate there.

As for Cooper Moore, don’t expect him on Tuesday night, but the Tiger hurler could be available in a short stint this weekend when Texas A&M visits.

STARTER STRUGGLES

LSU can’t seem to find anyone capable of six clean outs in the midweek.

Marcos Paz had a great first inning last week, but he gave up three straight hits in the second and was pulled. The Wildcats scored three in the inning. Southern also scored three in the second the week prior. Jaden Noot couldn’t make it through the inning.

Louisiana Tech plated a pair in the first when Reagan Ricken failed to record three outs before being lifted.

Ricken and Grant Fontenot did a nice job against Grambling for three innings on March 17, but that was a month ago. The weekend before that, Ricken and Dax Dathe struggled in the second. Ethan Plog didn’t fare much better, and Creighton lead LSU 4-1 after three.

ULL and Northeastern toyed with LSU in the early innings.

Johnson has to find someone who is capable of getting six outs unscathed to allow the team and the crowd to settle into the stadium before the weight of another slow start is thrust on everyone in purple and gold.

DEMONS DESCEND

Northwestern state has won three of six against LSU including last year’s win. This is a club that has been very consistent all season. Their two-of-three series loss to Houston Christian was their first in seven Southland series. They lead that league at 14-7.

It’s not an extremely potent offense. Only two regulars hit .280 or better. Thomas Marsala III is one of those, and his nine long balls far and away pace the Demons. J.T. Simonelli has five for second place. LSU will do its best to avoid Marsala and deal with the rest of the order,

First pitch is set got 6:30 p.m. Pregame will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the LSU Sports Radio Network. Baton Rouge listeners can tune into the Flagship Home for LSU Athletics, Eagle 98.1 FM.