LSU baseball plays Arkansas in its third SEC series of the season March 28-30. Arkansas is 20-3 and ranked No. 1 nationally by D1 Baseball.
Heading into SEC play, both teams shared strengths, boasting deadly starting pitchers backed by impressive bullpens.
But through SEC play, this gap has widened significantly. In that time, LSU has lost four games, including two series, and was run ruled twice by SEC opponents. It has dropped from No. 2 to No. 8 in the D1 Baseball rankings. The Tigers current record is 20-6, they’re 2-4 in the SEC.
In the same period, Arkansas has held strong to No.1 in the rankings. Its only loss in that stretch came from Auburn on Sunday. The other two losses came earlier to Oklahoma State and James Madison.
Arkansas’ record is not a result of an easy schedule either. Oregon State, the No. 2 team in the country by D1 Baseball, lost to Arkansas in February. The Razorbacks won 5-4 after a dominant 17-strikeout performance from starter Hagen Smith. Travis Bazzana, one of the best hitters in college baseball, struck out three times at the hands of Smith.
Arkansas has held opponents to one run or less in nearly half its games thus far. Its weekend rotation of Hagen Smith, Brady Tygart and Mason Molina has built an iron clad defense, very much responsible for its place at the top of the rankings.
Prior to their Auburn series, the Razorbacks ranked first nationally in ERA, strikeouts per nine innings, WHIP and strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Smith has established himself as arguably the best pitcher in college baseball. In 29 innings pitched this season, Smith has 62 strikeouts, 1.24 ERA, just 11 hits and .116 opponent batting average. Smith has improved on control from last season, walking only 10 batters so far.
Smith will open the series against LSU, the Tigers’ starter has yet to be announced. 
Molina will throw the second game, matching up with Luke Holman. He has pitched 28 innings, striking out 47, with a 2.57 ERA, 12 hits and .133 opponent batting average.
Tygart will pitch against Gage Jump to close the series. Tygart has 39 strikeouts, 1.59 ERA, 15 hits and a .163 opponent batting average in 28.1 innings.
The matchup comes at LSU’s lowest point of the season. After allowing six home runs and totaling just three hits on Sunday, a complete change of direction will be necessary for a chance at winning the away series.
Due to the caliber of arms they’ll be facing, both starters and relievers will have to be at the top of their game.
Holman performed admirably against Florida last Friday in a bounce back performance after an underwhelming outing against Mississippi State. His success carried on to Griffin Herring, who didn’t allow a run in three innings. The Gators finished with just four hits all night. A similar performance this week is necessary.
Lately, the majority of the Tiger’s hitting has come from veterans Tommy White, Hayden Travinski and, more recently, Mac Bingham. Jared Jones has also been delivering at the plate, he will be fundamental to capitalizing on momentum and ideally tallying RBIs.
Success can’t be reliant on veterans, nearly every player in the lineup has shown an ability to deliver. Younger players like Brady Neal, Steven Milam, Paxton Kling and Josh Pearson need to play a role in this offense.
Players with less experience, like Jake Brown, Ethan Frey and Ashton Larson have the potential to deliver this weekend, should they have the opportunity. All three have shown consistency and clutch ability when called on.
An area to watch is how LSU’s smart at bats face against Arkansas pitchers who have at times struggled with control. If the Tigers can make this a problem, they may be able to set up free scoring opportunities.
Arkansas could end up being the best team LSU plays in the regular season. After a worrisome start to SEC play, series contention is reliant on improved performance on all levels. Fortunately, the Tigers have shown they have the talent to do it, it just about having it all come together.
“We’ve got a tremendous challenge this weekend at Arkansas. We’re going to have to play in our best character,” head coach Jay Johnson said. “This is what we signed up for, and we’re really excited about going up to Arkansas.”