Following his team’s shellacking at the hands of previously unheralded Stony Brook two seasons ago, LSU coach Paul Mainieri knew changes needed to be made.
First up: revamp the outfield.
After watching seemingly every ball the Tigers hit find a glove in the outfield, Mainieri wanted to model his new-look outfield after the speedy Stony Brook crew.
Two seasons later, Mainieri’s plan is in place as he sits on opening night with a plethora of potent combinations ready to roam the grass.
“You just can’t put a quantified value on speed in the outfield because of taking away those base hits and making it more challenging for the other team,” Mainieri said.
Sophomore speedster Mark Laird will start in right field, while senior Sean McMullen and junior Jared Foster will patrol center and left fields, respectively, when the UNO Privateers come into Alex Box Stadium tonight, Mainieri said.
Sophomore Andrew Stevenson — who started the majority of last season in center — will be held out as a precaution as he recovers from a groin strain.
McMullen said the competition for the outfield defensive positions is all among friends pushing each other to be their best.
“We’re all out here to win baseball games, and that’s how we’re going to have fun on this baseball field. We’re rooting for each other,” McMullen said.
The new wrinkle in the race is Foster, who saw only spot action last season in right field. His strong arm was on display in last season’s Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship Game against Vanderbilt, and he gets the opening night nod after impressing Mainieri in fall practice.
“[Consistency] is something I’ve been working on for a while,” Foster said. “I’m starting to feel comfortable, and it feels good right now, so I’ve just got to keep it up.”
Staying in the two-hole and manning left field, Laird will look to carry momentum from a rookie campaign where he hit .307 and had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Beyond the three opening day starters and Stevenson, Mainieri said junior Chris Sciambra will also contend for time in the outfield.