LSU will be back at the Box this week after a successful trip to Texas that saw the Tigers win all four games in the Lone Star State to increase their winning streak to six games.
I was there for the Texas road trip and here are my three takeaways.
1. LSU’s offense is relentless
Coach Jay Johnson started the trip by hitting freshman left fielder Derek Curiel in the lead-off spot, followed by power hitting first baseman Jared Jones and then second baseman Daniel Dickson, who has great bat to ball skills.
That trio was excellent. Curiel is hitting over .400 and is an on-base machine. Jones has two home runs, but he’s hitting doubles and making loud outs. If you walk Jones, Dickinson will make you pay.
The top three in LSU’s order will likely change at some point this season, someone will hit a slump and a change will be needed, But for now let it ride.
Once you get past that trio, you have Stevan Milam who has multi-hits in six straight games. Jake Brown is swinging a good bat. Josh Pearson was the named the Frisco College Classic most outstanding player after his game-winning hit on Friday and his three doubles performance on Saturday.
It was good to see catcher Luis Hernandez get three hits on Sunday.
Chris Stanfield at the bottom of the order is a table setter for the top of the order as he’s getting on base multiple times a game.
Some will point to the number of men LSU is leaving on base, but on Saturday and Sunday, the Tigers hit .424 with men in scoring position.
There were three times LSU had the bases loaded during the Texas trip and did not score, twice with nobody out. Not great, but again LSU is putting a lot of pressure on opposing pitchers.
2. LSU pitching wasn’t perfect but more than good enough
LSU has plenty of pitching to make a deep run in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, but there’s room for growth.
For the second straight start, Kade Anderson ran into trouble in the second inning, Anthony Eyanson gave up five runs in three innings, but did not allow a run in the next three innings to help the Tigers come back from a five-run deficit on Saturday against Nebraska.
Chase Shores had some control problems on Sunday, but still got the win.
Conner Ware got the start Wednesday and threw four hitless innings on Wednesday.
Most years LSU struggles to find a third starter, but this year they have four guys on the weekend who could start, and you might add freshman William Schmidt to that list by the end of the year.
Casan Evans has been great out of the bullpen. He has two saves and got the win on Saturday. Conner Benge is someone who can pitch twice during the weekend. Zac Cowan can come out of the pen and throw multiple innings.
After a rough performance on Friday. DJ Primeaux threw a 1-2-3 eighth on Sunday and Jaden Noot earned the save,
Walks were an issue on Friday and Sunday, but you’ll have games like that with young arms. LSU could use a veteran in the pen and junior right-hander Gavin Guidry will likely be that guy. He’s nursing a minor non-arm injury and is expected to make his season debut this week.
3. LSU defense’s is fantastic
The Tigers made several stellar defensive plays, especially in Frisco. On Friday, a key double play was turned late in the game against Kansas State.
The Josh Pearson, Steven Milam to Luis Hernandez relay to cut down the potential game-winning run against Kansas State was perfectly executed.
Daniel Dickinson making diving plays to his left and right. Milam is smooth at shortstop.
The defensive play of the year might have occurred on Saturday when Dickinson made a play on a chopper up the middle, flipped the ball from his glove to Milam, who spun and threw a dart to Jones to get the hitter out at first.
LSU has had better defensive catchers, but Hernandez is growing at the position and threw a would be base stealer out on Sunday.
Based on what I saw in Texas, this will be a very fun season of LSU baseball, and it should end in Omaha. It remains to be seen if LSU can win another national title, but enjoy the ride LSU fans.
