LSU baseball completed its opening weekend with four straight wins, beating both VMI and Central Arkansas twice in alternating games.
During their historic 2023 National Championship season, the Tigers earned a gunslinging reputation full of big hits and offensive action. This year, as the purple and gold begin to defend their title, there’s been a mix of captivating offense and fundamental defense.
LSU broke a school record for most singles in a game, tallying 27 singles in only seven innings against VMI. Facing the Keydets, the Tigers scored 38 total runs, but only managed to plate 6 in their two games against Central Arkansas.
Proving they can win both offensively and defensively is important, and a few players managed to stand out through both categories of victories.
An Old Face in a New Position
LSU baseball tied a program record, reaching 27 hits as a team in its 7-inning 27-5 win over VMI at Alex Box Stadium on Sunday.
Jared Jones stepped into first base for all four games, filling the shoes Tre’ Morgan left behind. The sophomore had no trouble competing to the standard Morgan left behind, showcasing his big hit ability with three home runs and a triple this weekend.
Jones performed on both sides of the ball, improving his fielding at first base to a level head coach Jay Johnson can only applaud.
“I think he’s done a great job,” Johnson said. “He can become a true first baseman. He had some good picks and he’s a big target. I have really high marks for him on that side of the ball.”
Versatility in the Field
Johnson started a unique lineup each game, giving a larger selection of players opportunities to showcase their skills. Some new roster additions from the offseason created some competition for the returning veterans.
Freshman Steven Milam was the most notable fresh face, making an instant impact at second base when Josh Pearson moved to the outfield. The New Mexico native was the talk of the town after his performances over the weekend, boasting a .545 batting average.
Milam’s plate presence is headlined by his high on base potential. The 5-foot-8 freshman makes opponents earn their pitches, closing the strike zone down and forcing pitchers to throw where he wants.
Jake Brown is another freshman who hit the ground running in Baton Rouge, recording solid performances in both center and right field. Brown is expected to be Johnson’s main man in right field and he proved it, hitting .600 for the Tigers alongside solid defensive performances.
Strength Behind the Plate
Other notable lineup changes came from behind the plate, with Johnson constantly rotating one of the deepest catching staffs in the country. Hayden Travinski played the majority of the weekend as a designated hitter, leading the team in runs and recording a .571 batting average.
Milazzo earned the start on opening day, showcasing his defensive ability at catcher, but it was the comeback kid Brady Neal who looked the best behind the plate.
Neal was cleared to catch just before the season started, appearing in a handful of intrasquad scrimmages in January. This weekend, Neal reminded fans why he was last year’s starter, hitting .300 between designated hitter and catcher.
His high note came on Sunday, smashing a grand slam over the right field wall in the team’s 27-5 win against VMI. His home run, combined with a pair of doubles, earned him a “magic moment” from Johnson.
Pitching highs and lows
LSU pitched the majority of its staff over the weekend, including some unexpected performances. The Tigers currently lead the SEC in strikeouts by a small margin, but also sit clear at the top in total walks as the only SEC team with over 20 (27).
With so many new faces on LSU baseball’s roster this season, inevitably, a few of them would make an early impact.
Projected ace Thatcher Hurd opened the season on Friday, but he struggled to make a statement against VMI’s offense. Allowing four runs, his shakiness against a less than formidable opponent raising questions about the potential for a different Friday night starter.
Luke Holman started on Saturday, flipping the script from Hurd’s slightly disappointing performance. The Alabama transfer threw a shutout in his five and a half innings of work, tallying 10 strikeouts and only walking one batter.
There were some hidden gems in relief for the Tigers, including Fidel Ulloa, a junior college transfer from California. Ulloa pitched in relief twice this weekend, allowing a single hit and helping save the purple and gold from a couple of sticky situations.
Freshman Cam Johnson had trouble during his collegiate debut, coming in during Sunday’s blowout and walking six batters in an inning. Johnson’s talent is undeniable, as he showcased in the fall, but some first game jitters caused him to allow four of VMI’s five runs that day.
Overall, the Tigers showed they can rely on both sides of the ball for wins. Their versatility, combined with the emergence of new talent, can send them right back to Omaha.
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