The 7th ranked LSU baseball team dropped its first SEC road series when they lost two out of three to Texas last month. The Tigers have a chance to redeem themselves this weekend, but it will not be easy as they visit 10th ranked Oklahoma.
It will be the first top-10 matchup at L.Dale Mitchell Park since 2011.
The Sooners started 11-0 and they are now 23-5 overall, 5-4 in the SEC. They won their first two SEC series against South Carolina and Mississippi State but dropped two of three against Alabama last week.
Oklahoma is 10th in the SEC in hitting with a team batting average of .298. But when they get on base, look out. The Sooners lead the SEC with 74 stolen bases and that ranks 16th in the country.
LSU catcher Luis Hernandez has thrown out 3 of 13 would be base stealers.
OU’s top base stealer is Dawson Willis, who is from Ruston. The transfer from LSU-Eunice has swiped 12 bases, 2nd most in the SEC. However, he’s only a .250 hitter.
Freshman second baseman Kyle Branch has 10 stolen bases and he’s hitting .333. But Branch has only walked seven times, so the Tigers must minimize free passes.
LSU has walked 121 hitters, fifth most in the SEC. But Tigers pitching has struck out 338. That’s one behind Vanderbilt for most in the league.
Oklahoma puts the ball in play as they’ve struck out only 203 times, fourth fewest in the SEC.
The Tigers will face one of the top pitchers in college baseball tonight. Right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, who will be a first-round pick in this year’s Major League Baseball draft.
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Witherspoon throws in the mid-to-upper 90s. On the season, he’s 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA. Witherspoon has 64 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched.
He has a twin brother on the team. Malachi Witherspoon is 2-2 with a 5.74 ERA.
Left-hander Cade Crossland (1-1, 6.66 ERA) is scheduled to start on Friday. Crossland has started the last two weekends. Crossland allowed two earned runs in six innings against Alabama last week. But the week before, he allowed eight runs in three innings against Mississippi State.
Oklahoma has not named a starter for Saturday.
The Sooners have several solid relievers led by Dylan Crooks who leads the nation with nine saves. Crooks has allowed three runs in 19 innings.
Oklahoma has six hitters with a .300 batting average or higher. Sophomore Jaxon Willis has eight home runs. Easton Carmichael has 14 extra base hits and 30 RBIs,
Jason Walk has been a good lead-off hitter, with an average of .302, 5 home runs and 19 RBIs.
Oklahoma also has a promising freshman second baseman in Kyle Branch, who is hitting .333.
And Sam Christiansen leads OU with 33 walks.
Throwing strikes will be a key for LSU’s pitching. Will other relievers emerge, like Jaden Noot did last weekend?
Coach Jay Johnson expects Kade Anderson will bounce back after giving up three home runs last week. Can Anthony Eyanson give the Tigers another solid outing on Friday?
LSU relievers Zac Cowan and Casan Evans have each allowed just one run in SEC games this year.
Weather will be a factor. Rain chances are high on Friday and Saturday and it will be in the chilly. Temperatures in the 50s on Thursday and Friday and only 48-degrees on Saturday.