Florida’s series sweep of LSU last weekend put an exclamation point on several of the Tigers’ issues that have plagued he squad throughout Southeastern Conference play.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri hopes that exclamation becomes a period.
Sophomore shortstop Alex Bregman entered the series in Gainesville, Fla., with a .330 batting average – he left McKethan Stadium with a .291 average after going hitless in three contests against the Gators.
Mainieri said Bregman will be back out on the field when LSU battles McNeese State in Alex Box Stadium on Wednesday, and the sophomore has been putting in extra work to help break out of his recent hitting slump.
“I can tell you this, the kid has no quit in him,” Mainieri said. “I haven’t stopped believing in him for a second. He and I had a little private [batting practice] session on the field at 10:30 this morning for about 45 minutes, and I thought it was his best [batting practice] this year.”
Alden Cartwright to start Wednesday
With LSU still looking for quality arms to make starts as the team moves deeper into SEC play, Mainieri announced Monday that freshman right-hander Alden Cartwright will make his first career start on Wednesday against McNeese State.
The Baton Rouge native has been one of LSU’s most consistent relievers in 2014, making eight appearances and going 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA in 10 1/3 innings pitched.
Cartwright will start the game, but Mainieri said other relievers will make appearances throughout the contest.
“He’s just going to be the first pitcher,” Mainieri said. “It’s going to be pieced together. We’re just looking for somebody to try to get us off to the best start possible.”
Kyle Bouman still questionable
Mainieri said Monday that junior southpaw Kyle Bouman is still questionable for next weekend’s series against Mississippi State.
Bouman, who injured his ankle after landing on a baseball during warmups following the Vanderbilt series, threw a bullpen session in Gainesville with “fairly decent success.”
Mainieri said he hopes Bouman can make an appearance against McNeese State on Wednesday.