Paul Mainieri and the LSU Tigers won another SEC series, after dropping the opening game. For a few hours Friday it looked like LSU baseball was imploding before our very eyes, after an opening game loss to cellar dwelling Alabama. The Tigers roared back, winning games two and three. Here are the grades for LSU.
LSU hitting: In the first game against the Crimson Tide the Tigers scored just one run on eight hits. The offense was sleepwalking for just about the entire game. Freshman Cade Beloso is the only Tiger who racked up multiple hits in game one. The result? LSU lost 6-1 to Alabama. The good news? The offense woke up in the second and third games. Zach Watson had three hits including a three run homerun that proved to be the difference in the 5-2 victory. In game three, Catcher Saul Garza flashed some power, smashing a solo home run off the scoreboard. LSU won the game 5-4 and clinched the series. I impressed by Paul Mainieri’s creativity at the bottom of his lineup. I will explore below in the lagniappe section.
LSU hitting grade: (B) There is no reason LSU should be held to one run against Alabama, but they were in game one.
LSU pitching: Friday night’s ace Zach Hess made his first start in two weeks, after rehabbing his groin injury. Hess wasn’t slated to return against Alabama, but Cole Henry had a sore arm, forcing Hess back in the rotation. In game one, Hess was chased after 4.1 innings, giving up 8 hits and 5 runs, including two solo home runs. In game 2 Eric Walker was back to his typical self, authoring a 9 strikeout performance in 5.2 innings, giving up just 1 run and scattering 5 hits. Sophomore Devin Fontenot picked up his fifth save of the season, and LSU took game two 5-2. Freshman Landon Marceaux looked sharp in game three. After a shaky start, Marceaux settled in, pitching 5 innings and giving up 2 runs. This was after pitching out of a couple of jams that could have been a lot worse. Devin Fontenot picked up his second save of the weekend, after giving up a run in the ninth inning. Fontenot struck out Alabama’s final hitter to end the game and the series.
LSU pitching grade: (C) The truth about the Tigers pitching game? It was average. This was especially true for LSU’S starters. Eric Walker saved them from a lower grade.
LSU defense: The Tigers committed just one error, and made some incredible plays in the field. Saul Garza gives LSU a real “dude” behind the plate. He can shut down the running game.
LSU defensive grade: (A) This would have been higher except for a Chris Reid error in game three.
Up next: LSU returns home this weekend for a huge SEC series against Ole Miss. The Tigers don’t have a mid-week contest, so hopefully they’ll be focused, rested and ready.
Lagniappe: Skipper Paul Mainieri is getting creative at the bottom of his lineup and it’s paying off. Mainieri slipped Daniel Cabrera into the seven spot, and Giovanni DiGiacomo is hitting eighth in the line. Both hitters are top of the lineup guys, but because Cade Beloso is hitting so well and Gavin Dugas is back in the mix, it gives Mainieiri some flexibility. This lineup makes the most sense going forward for LSU.
Around the SEC: LSU is in a three way tie with Mississippi State and Ole Miss for second place in the western division. All three teams are 13-8 in the SEC. LSU holds the tiebreaker over Mississippi State, beating them in two out of three games earlier this season. The Tigers are two games behind Arkansas for the overall lead in the west. LSU travels to Arkansas Thursday May 9th through the 11th. That series could decide who wins the SEC West. Vanderbilt and Arkansas are tied for first place overall in the conference with 15-6 records.
Everything the LSU Baseball Tigers want to achieve is still very much in front of them. Buckle up! It’s going to be a fun ride down the stretch.