Stop the presses: WrestleMania is coming to New Orleans
February 26, 2013
Nicholls aims to earn respect in 2013 season
February 26, 2013
LSU coach Paul Mainieri is always optimistic about his team going into a season.
“That is just the way I coach,” Mainieri said with a smile
But this year, the coach’s optimism stands on firm footing.
That’s because the Tigers are enjoying a roster loaded with experience in both its pitching staff and lineup.
LSU is currently ranked No. 2 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Poll. They are a consensus Top 10 team in every other poll in the country.
“There is no question in my mind that we will be right in the fight,” Mainieri said. “Obviously, we have to get the job done on the field, but the talent is there. The attitude is also there, and this is a very close-knit team – a good combination of experience and youthfulness.”
On offense, LSU returns a star-studded lineup glittered with both experience and young talent.
Paving the way in the heart of the team’s batting order is senior Raph Rhymes, who returns to the team after poking for a .431 average with 53 RBIs last season.
“Raph Rhymes has quickly become one of my favorite players of all-time,” Mainieri said. “This kid never looked at his batting average. He never cared about his batting average. All he wanted to do was win. … He’s such a vital part of our team.”
Rhymes echoed his coach’s sentiments and said he would gladly trade in the .431 average this season for a College World Series Championship.
“That happened in the past,” Rhymes said of his magical 2012 season. “This year, I’m not worried about stats. I just want to get this team to Omaha.”
Joining Rhymes in the order is his most reliable thumper – senior outfielder Mason Katz.
Katz returns to LSU for one more season after hitting 13 home runs with a .320 batting average as a junior.
Joining the one-two punch in the batting order is young talent like freshman infielder Alex Bregman, sophomore outfielder Chris Sciambra and freshman outfielder Mark Laird.
Mainieri has raved about Bregman’s ability throughout the early season.
The coach’s confidence in the young player is so high that Bregman currently bats third in LSU’s lineup.
“I’m putting a lot on this kid’s shoulders,” Mainieri said. “He will be our three-hole hitter and starting shortstop as a true freshman. That is a lot, but I think this kid can handle it. I have no doubt that he can handle it.”
The young standout showed no signs of being overwhelmed in the team’s opening series against Maryland, recording five hits in 15 at-bats with three RBI.
The Tigers also will reap the benefits of junior JaCoby Jones, who appears prime to return to All-American form after struggling in 2012.
Jones hit .444 in the opening weekend of the season with a pair of home runs.
LSU’s offense should be capable of scoring runs in 2013. But the truth is that even if they don’t, they should be able to win some ballgames.
That’s because the Tigers return one of the best pitching staffs in America – a group led by sophomore ace Aaron Nola and junior righty Ryan Eades.
“They give us two top-notch starting pitchers,” Mainieri said. “That gives us a real chance.”
In the back-end of the game, the Tigers will rely upon the services of senior lefty Chris Cotton, who posted an ERA of less than 2 last season.
Cotton has not formally been named the team’s closer for the season. He will compete with a slew of other hurlers in the Tigers’ arsenal.
Despite the uncertainty, Cotton said the team’s pitching staff is united as one.
“I think we are all on the same page,” Cotton said. “I think we are all connected, and are all looking for the same goal.”
One of the reasons why Cotton is not the team’s official closer is because he may be needed as LSU’s third starter.
The Tigers are currently looking to solidify the final spot in their rotation before SEC play.
Tri-parish native Brent Bonvillain got the first crack at it against Maryland, tossing four innings of work while allowing just one earned run.
If he cannot hold up, Cotton may be asked to extend his role and pitch on Sunday if he isn’t needed in relief on Friday and Saturday – a role similar to that of former LSU great Louis Coleman.
“I think it’s going to work out like we want it to,” Cotton said.
So with the season under way and hopes high in Baton Rouge, the Tigers are turning their attention to the College World Series – a place they haven’t been since winning the 2009 National Championship.
Mainieri said his stomach sours when he remembers three-straight Omaha-free years.
“I don’t like standing up here and knowing that we haven’t been to Omaha in three years,” Mainieri said. “Every year you roll out of bed at LSU, the goal is to go to Omaha and to win when you get there.”
Katz agreed and said he knows the team has one goal.
“A trip to Omaha and once there, bringing a trophy home – that’s all I want,” Katz said. “It doesn’t matter how it happens. … I don’t care. I want to go to Omaha. That’s my dream. That’s the reason why I came here – to win a national championship.”
LSU first baseman Mason Katz fields a ball while a Maryland hitter slides safely into first base. The Tigers are off to a strong start this season. Thanks to experienced hitting and pitching, LSU is one of the top teams in America. They are a consensus top 10 team in polls.
