By Andrew Riedell
As the #5 LSU Tigers wrapped up a weird weekend, where they dropped a game to Summit League opponent Omaha, Head Coach Jay Johnson was reminded of a conversation he had with Dylan Crews at the end of his playing time at LSU.
Johnson said, "You know what you have right after you lose a game." Johnson mentioned after losses in 2022 and 2023 he loved the way his team responded, usually in the first inning. LSU responded in both games after dropping that game to Omaha-Nebraska, with a 12-1 win over Omaha and now a 13-3 run-rule win over Nicholls.
Johnson, talking bout the offensive struggles on Friday and Saturday, said, "By Monday night, we'll get it back!" That is what the LSU bats did, as they came alive Monday night with Steven Milam (2-3, 5 RBI) and Jared Jones (2-2, 3 RBI) both hitting home runs to lead the offensive surge. Although LSU had only 10 hits on Monday, their at-bats were much better than on Saturday afternoon.
#5 LSU now packs their bags and heads to Texas, where they will play four games against some really good competition. They first will go to Arlington and play #21 Dallas Baptist in the College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field on Wednesday. Then, they head a few miles northeast in the Metroplex for the Frisco College Baseball Classic, where they will play Kansas State on Friday, Nebraska on Saturday, and Sam Houston on Sunday.
The starting lineup has been different throughout the first couple games for the Tigers, especially at third base. We have seen both Michael Braswell and Tanner Reaves get opportunities to start at the hot corner this season, and both have struggled offensively. Until someone starts hitting, I expect to see both Reaves and Braswell share playing time.
The rest of the lineup is starting to take form, though, as Utah Valley transfer Daniel Dickinson (.333, 1 HR, 11 RBI) has been hitting very well early on. Jared Jones (.400, 2 HR, 12 RBI) has taken huge strides in his approach to the plate. He has seemed more relaxed at the plate, not being overly aggressive but instead working the counts to his favor, where he can do some damage. Freshman Derek Curiel (.440 ,1 HR, 6 RBI) has also been phenomenal at the plate, along with Auburn transfer Chris Stanfield (.391 BA in 23 ABs), who had a double and a single in the game vs Nicholls.
The pitching staff has been phenomenal to start the year. Aside from one bad inning on Saturday, they have shut down the four opponents they have played so far. With William Schimdt starting against Nicholls on Monday, I expect to see Connor Ware get the start vs Dallas Baptist on Wednesday, Kade Anderson vs Kansas State on Friday, Anthony Eyanson on Saturday vs Nebraska, and Connor Shores on Sunday vs Sam Houston.
One pitcher for LSU we have not seen yet, which has left fans confused, is Gavin Guidry, who has been dealing with a "middle body injury" Johnson says will probably keep him out of the lineup this weekend. LSU's pitching staff is stacked with depth, so it will just be the next man up till Guidry comes back, possibly against NDSU mid week next week?
Among the relievers that have been doing well, you have transfers Zac Cowan and Jacob Mayers, who have been lights out so far. Then you have freshmen Casan Evans, Mavrick Rizy, Cooper Williams, and obviously Will Schimdt, all of whom have been great filling the big shoes of graduated relievers such as Griffin Herring and Nate Ackenhausen. It is also worth noting that Johnson said he expects 6'9 freshman Mavrick Rizy to lead the team in appearances, which is a big task for the freshman from Fiskdale, MA.
The remainder of this week will be a test to see how the Tigers can handle themselves against one of the best Mid-Majors in College Baseball and two Power 4 schools.
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