The LSU Tigers took advantage of a VMI team playing its fourth game in three days by banging out 27 hits in a 27-5 win over Keydets. The 27 hits ties a 34-year-old school record and 20 of the hits were singles, which is a school record.
Freshman second baseman Steven Milam had four hits as he’s off to a hot start, 5-for-7 at the plate after starting on Saturday and Sunday.
Coach Jay Johnson is very high on Milam who is from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Johnson said after Saturday’s game that Milam got off to a slow start in the fall, but once he got comfortable, he’s been very good.
“He’s a good player, he’s really earned this playing time, he had three great weeks of intrasquad games,” said Johnson.
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Milam was the lead-off hitter on Sunday. Johnson likes his ability to get on base, but also can drive in runs when runners are on base.
Catcher Brady Neal was very good. The sophomore was 3-for-3 on Sunday with a couple of doubles and a grand slam. He finished with 6 RBIs. Johnson said after the game he believes Neal is one of the better players on the team.
All three of LSU’s catchers are off to a great start and it’s hard to imagine that any other team in the country has more depth than the Tigers.
Alex Milazzo who started the season opener behind the plate, came off the bench on Sunday and was 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs. He has three hits in four plate appearances through three games.
Hayden Travinksi started Saturday’s game at catcher and he was the designated hitter on Friday and Sunday. Travinksi is off to a great start and he’s off to a 7-for-11 with 8 runs scored, a home run and 4 RBIs.
Javen Coleman was the winning pitcher. The left-hander pitched three shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking two and striking out three. Johnson said the plan was for him to pitch into the fourth inning, but the Tigers scored seven runs in the third inning, so they decided not to bring Coleman back.
Freshman left-hander Cam Johnson made his much-anticipated debut, but it did not go well as he could not throw strikes. Johnson faced nine batters and walked six of them and gave up four runs.
Will Hellmers, Kade Woods, and Aiden Moffett pitched the final three innings and none of them gave up a hit, but Woods allowed one run after walking two.
The Tigers are now 3-0 and play again Monday against Central Arkansas at 2 PM.