Baseball Defeats ULL

BASEBALL

LSU defeated ULL 4-3 on Wednesday night at Alex Box stadium.  Micah Gibbs was the star on offense with two hits and two runs batted in on the night.  Tyler Hanover continued his hot hitting by going 2 for 4.  Austin Nola also had two hits. 

Paul Maineri tinkered with the batting order a bit on Wednesday.  LSU has struggled to get adequate production out of their two hole spot thus far this season.  Leon Landry batted second against ULL but unfortunately went hitless in three at bats.  He drew a walk and score a run however.  Austin Nola had been batting second for most of the year, but was dropped to seventh in the order.  Matt Gaudet hit fifth with Mikie Mahtook batting sixth.  It will be interesting to see if Maineri keeps this order this weekend against Tennessee.  Wet Delatte again started at third base, but Beau Didier came in and played most of the game.  Neither of the guys got a hit on Wednesday, but Coach Maineri seems willing to try someone else at third base.  Delatte's batting average is down to .216. 

Personally, I'd like to see Didier at third base and either Landry or Mahtook batting second in the order. 

Freshman Michael Reed got the start on the mound for LSU and did OK.  He gave up four hits and two runs in three innings of work.  A number of other pitchers got involved.  Mitch Moormann got the win for the Tigers and Matty Ott earned his eigth save of the season despite giving up a run in the ninth. 

LSU is now 17-3 and faces Tennessee this weekend.  The Vols were swept by South Carolina in their conference operner.  This weekend presents a very good opportunity for LSU to win a road series and perhaps even get a sweep.  They need to take advantage of it. 

I plan on having a nice recruiting update on Friday in preparating for LSU's spring game and Junior Day on Saturday.