In a season where hits are hard to come by, one LSU Baseball player proved he wouldn’t have a sophomore slump. 
“I told everybody before the year he would be a much improved offensive player and there’s no question that he is,” LSU Baseball Head Coach Paul Mainieri said. 

Nine players from last year’s College World Series squad have seen significant time at the plate this year, and eight of their batting averages saw a decline. But as for sophomore outfielder Andrew Stevenson, he’s nearly doubled his (.193 to .355 as of Tuesday morning) from a season ago.
“My approach is (definitely) a little bit better this year,” Stevenson said. “I’m just trying to not do too much with it; just take what the pitcher is giving me and have some fun up there.”
But what is it that caused such a dramatic difference? For Stevenson, an altered approach and mindset at the plate helped make him the Tigers’ leading hitter.
“(I) just try to be a level bat path whenever I’m swinging instead of chopping at it,” Stevenson said about his improved batting form. “(I’m) just trying to take balls the other way whenever they’re thrown that way, turn on it when I have to.
Stevenson he realized he needed to improve his form through tireless efforts in the offseason.
“Summer ball – the reps helped me, I was able to figure out a few things, figured something I was comfortable with and it’s working out well so far,” he said. 
Stevenson going from worst to first at the plate came at a perfect time for LSU. The sophomore was always a solid defender for the Tigers, but his now-balanced game can help LSU close out the season strong. 
“There’s no question about his defense and the impact that it can have on a game,” Mainieri said. “Now he’s become an offensive player for us and is contributing to us winning games.”
“I just try to help the team in whichever way I can, if that’s at the plate or if it’s in the field or with my glove, I just wanna be out there to give us a chance to win,” Stevenson said.