After getting swept by Auburn, 9th-ranked LSU looks to return to the win column by hosting 15th-ranked Alabama for a three-game series that starts Thursday night. The Fighting Tigers scored just eight runs against Auburn, but the bats came alive on Tuesday in a 10-3 win over McNeese.
Coach Jay Johnson made a slight adjustment to the top of the lineup. Daniel Dickinson moved from the three-hole to the lead-off spot, Derek Curiel dropped down from lead-off to the two-hole, and Jared Jones moved down one spot to number three.
Jones responded with a 3-for-3 performance. The Bear slugged his 12th home run and drove in three runs, while scoring three times.
Coach Jay Johnson downplayed the significance of shuffling the top of the lineup; he said it was more about the players executing their plan at the plate.
About Alabama
Alabama is 30-8, 8-7 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide started strong, winning its first four SEC games, including a sweep of Texas A&M. They also won a series over Oklahoma, but they’ve dropped their last two series to Auburn and Mississippi State. Alabama’s starting pitching has been suspect as they’ve been going to the bullpen early in games.
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Tale of the Tape
* LSU hitting .319 (2nd in the SEC)
* Bama hitting .291 (9th in the SEC,
* LSU pitching 3.50 ERA (3rd in the SEC, 7th in the nation)
* Bama pitching 4.64 ERA (11th in the SEC)
* LSU fieldling .979 (T-6th in the SEC)
* Bama fielding .979 (T-6th in the SEC)
Pitching matchups
Game 1
LSU Sophomore Left-hander Kade Anderson (6-1 3.48 ERA)
Anderson came in at number 8 in the Athletic’s ranking of the MLB Draft’s top 50 prospects.
Bama Redshirt Sophomore Right-hander Tay Fay (0-0 4.98 ERA)
Fay is a tall right-hander, 6-5 215 pounds, making only his 2nd start. Fay started last Sunday and went 3.1 innings and gave up two runs. He’s thrown 21.1 innings in 13 appearances. His ERA against SEC teams is 10.13.
Game 2
LSU Junior Right-hander Anthony Eyanson (5-1, 3.78 ERA)
Eyanson has struck out at least 5 hitters in every start this season.
Alabama Sophomore Right-hander Riley Quick (5-1, 3.13 ERA)
Only made one start last season, because of an elbow injury. He’s been their game 2 starter all season. Coming off his best start of the season against Mississippi State, where he allowed one run in 5.1 innings and struck out a season-high 7 hitters.
Game 3
LSU Sophomore Right-hander Chase Shores (5-2, 5.12 ERA)
Only pitched two innings last week. Not an easy start, had to be looking over his shoulder as LSU had Zac Cowan and Casan Evans ready to come in early.
Alabama Sophomore left-hander Zane Adams (4-2, 6.18 ERA)
Made the Freshman All-SEC team last year, has the stuff to be really good, but has struggled in his last two starts, allowing 13 runs in five innings. He’s been Alabama’s Friday night starter, but he’s getting an extra day of rest this week. His ERA in SEC play 8.57.
Bullpen
The Tigers bullpen allowed just one earned run in 12.2 innings of work in last weekend’s series at Auburn. Five relievers pitched on Tuesday and allowed one earned in 5.2 innings. Mavrick Rizy and Jacob Mayers are showing signs they can contribute on the weekends. If Mayers can throw strikes consistently, he’s a big-time arm coming out of the pen.
Alabama’s closer Carson Ozmer, a graduate transfer from Penn, is tied for most saves in the country with 12. He’s 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and he’s struck out 28 in 24 innings. Braylon Myers, Coulston Buchanan and Hagan Banks have also been really good out of the bullpen, with ERAs below three.
Alabama’s hitters
Alabama’s best hitter is Justin Lebron, who has hit 15 home runs and leads the SEC with 58 RBIs. The sophomore from Florida is also hitting .333 and has seven stolen bases on the season. Also, a terrific shortstop, makes electrifying plays. Future first round pick in the 2026 draft.
Kade Snell is a .365 hitter with 5 home runs and 28 RBIs. The redshirt senior is the captain of the team.
Lead-off hitter and centerfielder Richie Bonomolo is hitting .331 with 4 home runs and 30 RBIs and leads the team with 12 stolen bases. Has reached base in 31 of 33 games this season.
Former LSU catcher Brady Neal has made 22 starts, but has struggled with the bat, only hitting .206 with one home run and 11 RBIs.