The LSU baseball team looks to get out of its offensive slump tonight as the Tigers host Creighton in their last game before SEC play. LSU had a total of nine hits in losses to Sacramento State on Saturday and Sunday. Coach Jay Johnson wants his hitters to string together quality at-bats.
“You have a good at-bat, than a bad at-bat, then you have a good at-bat with a bad result, you hit the ball hard at somebody, you are just not going to produce any runs,” Johnson.
Plate discipline made LSU so successful at the start of the season. During their eight-game winning streak to start the year, they walked 56 times. In the last nine games, they’ve walked 45 times.
“The take is our best friend right now, far more good is happening when we don’t swing than we do swing,” Johnson said.
LSU has scored four runs or fewer in five of their last seven games and their team batting average of .291 is third worst in the SEC.
Related
Since it’s spring break, it gives LSU a chance to work a little harder. The team is hitting the weights at noon, practice at 1 PM and then the game against Creighton at 6:30.
“The game is secondary to just improve the team. That’s the only focus I have right now,” said Johnson.
Chris Stanfield set to return soon
The Tigers could use another veteran bat in the lineup and that could be happening soon. Senior Chris Stanfield is very close to returning from a bruised hand.
Johnson said on his radio show on Monday night that he was a full go swinging the bat and Stanfield could return to the starting lineup within the next seven to ten days.
Johnson coming in as a defensive replacement late in games sounded like a possibility this week.
Stanfield has 564 collegiate at bats. Last season, he .298 and had an on-base percentage of .414.