Freshman center fielder Chris Sciambra will miss the rest of the season with a non-displaced fracture in his C-1 vertebra and a mild concussion.
Sciambra injured himself Sunday during the game against Auburn when he attempted to make a diving catch on a ball hit to deep left-center field. Sciambra said his back hit the wall and his neck snapped forward, causing him to black out for a “split second.”
Sciambra said his memory of the play is “foggy,” but immediately after the incident, he could recall the day of the week and the team’s opponent.
“I’ve seen the replay, and it was pretty rough-looking,” Sciambra said. “I would go after that ball 100 more times if I had the chance. I wouldn’t pull up for it any other time.”
Trainers immediately removed Sciambra from the game and took him to the hospital for X-rays, which showed he broke his neck. LSU coach Paul Mainieri said Sciambra also underwent an MRI that showed his spinal cord was unaffected by the incident.
Sciambra will have to wear a neck brace for at least three months before undergoing range-of-motion therapy and rehabilitation.
“That’s tough, but I’m getting used to it already,” Sciambra said. “I should be able to get through this no problem.”
Sciambra started 16 games this season and had a .246 batting average with 11 RBIs. He had 45 putouts and just one error.
“He was playing an outstanding center field, but offensively is where he’s really improved,” Mainieri said. “I can see him getting better and better every passing day. Losing him is a pretty big blow to us.”
Mainieri mentioned three players who could possibly replace Sciambra in center field: sophomore JaCoby Jones, junior Mason Katz or freshman Jared Foster. Jones began the season in center field and started eight games there. Katz, who has primarily played first base this season, replaced Sciambra in the outfield during the game after he suffered his injury.
Mainieri said moving Katz to the outfield would result in senior Grant Dozar taking over first base. That would leave an opening at designated hitter, where Mainieri said left-handed hitters Tyler Moore and Beau Didier could fill the void.
“Beau has really been
swinging the bat good in practice,” Mainieri said. “It’s a priority for me to have as much left-handed presence in the lineup against right-handed pitchers that we can without sacrificing the defense too much.”
Sciambra and Jones had solidified themselves as the top two hitters in the lineup, Mainieri said, but that will have to change.
“I’m sure JaCoby will stay in the lead-off spot,” Mainieri said. “We have to figure out what we do with the No. 2 spot now. I wanted to get more speed at the top of the order, and Jones and Sciambra gave us that. I’m not sure what the next best option is.”
Though Sciambra likely won’t return to the field until the fall, he doesn’t appear deterred from assisting in any way he can.
“I want to do anything I can to help the team,” Sciambra said. “That was my goal heading into the season, so I’m still going to do that no matter what. In what capacity, I don’t know yet, but I’m still going to do whatever I can.”
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]