LSU, NSU excited to start practices for 2012 season

It’s officially college baseball season in the Tri-parishes.

Before beautiful blue skies and temperatures in the mid 60s, both the LSU and Nicholls State baseball teams opened their winter practices Friday in anticipation of the 2012 season.

With conditions perfect for baseball, both sixth-year Tigers coach Paul Mainieri and second-year Colonels coach Seth Thibodeaux expressed excitement about the new season finally being here.

“Everyone on our roster is healthy and eager to get started,” Mainieri said. “I thought we had excellent workouts in the fall and we learned a lot about our team.”

The Tigers are hoping to build on the momentum they established late in the 2011 season.

LSU started the season slow, but rallied late to win 12 of their final 15 games.

The effort wasn’t strong enough to push the Tigers into the NCAA Tournament, but it was enough to earn the respect of the remainder of the country.

The Tigers enter the new season ranked No. 8 in the country in Baseball America’s Preseason Top 25 poll.

The reason for such optimism within LSU’s locker room is depth and experience.

The Tigers return virtually their entire 2011 team, including 21 lettermen, 10 position players and eight pitchers with major experience.

The biggest source of strength for the Tigers will likely come on the mound.

LSU will return its entire weekend rotation, sophomore right handers Kurt McCune, Kevin Gausman and Ryan Eades.

McCune was a 2011 Freshman All-American in 2011, after working 89.2 innings with a 7-3 record and a 3.31 ERA.

Gausman pitched for the USA Collegiate National Team this summer and Eades was named the Cape Cod League Pitcher of the Year.

“We have the chance to be a dominant team on the mound,” Mainieri said.

In addition to LSU’s big three, the Tigers will rely upon junior Kevin Berry and sophomores Joe Broussard, Nick Rumbelow, Michael Reed and Chris Cotton.

Junior right-hander Joey Bourgeois will also return after missing the entire 2011 season with Tommy John surgery.

The right-hander posted a 4-1 mark in 60.2 innings in 2010.

In addition to the returnees, the Tigers also have a slew of young aces to turn to.

Newcomers Aaron Nola, Nick Goody, Cody Glenn and former Thibodaux High standout Brent Bonvillain are arms Mainieri said the team would count on.

Altogether, the pitching depth will be the strength of the roster.

“We have a very deep and talented staff; we just need to decide upon the roles our pitchers will have coming out of the bullpen,” Mainieri said. “We play outstanding defense and our catching behind the plate has really improved.”

Offensively, LSU also returns several contributors like shortstop Austin Nola, infielder Tyler Hanover, outfielder Mason Katz, designated hitter Ralph Rhymes and utility standout JaCoby Jones, who can play either infield or outfield.

Mainieri said he expects the team’s offense to do plenty enough to complement the team’s pitching and make LSU a strong club in 2012.

“This is a gritty, determined group of players that will compete hard on every pitch,” the coach said. “Our hitters are very tough outs, and with our pitching and defense, we feel like we can be an excellent ball club.”

Colonels believe they can build on last season’s run

Just down the road in Thibodaux, the Colonels are also trying to build on 2011’s finish.

The Colonels won three-straight regular season games to reach the Southland Conference Tournament.

Once there, Nicholls almost won the whole thing, winning their first two game to advance to the tournament semifinals before being bounced by host Texas State in heartbreaking fashion.

With a slew of returnees from 2011’s 28-win club, Thibodeaux said he believes the Colonels have the right mindset to push for more in 2012.

“After the way we finished last year, there’s no question that the level of expectations for this year’s team is much higher,” Thibodeaux said. “But we have to put last year behind us and put everything we have into making this team the best it can be.”

Like LSU, what the Colonels’ team “can be” is dominant on the mound.

Nicholls returns arguably the best pitcher in the Southland Conference, senior Seth Webster, who posted a 7-3 record with a 2.30 ERA in 109.1 innings.

Nicholls also returns weekend starter Patrick Shreve and Mike Wisecarver, as well as senior closer Brad Delatte.

And Nicholls returns a handful of offensive players from their regular lineup.

Among those offensive sticks returning to the lineup are senior slugger Jeremy Hill, senior first baseman Blake Bergeron and senior third baseman Beau Faulk.

That mix, combined with a solid offseason and a newly renovated Ray E. Didier Stadium are all sources of excitement for Thibodeaux, who said he cannot wait to get started.

“We had a great round of practices in the fall and I know the team is anxious to get out on the field and get the season started,” Thibodeaux said. “They have done everything we have asked them to do and now it’s time for them to enjoy their time.”