MENTAL MISTAKES COST LSU AGAINST MISSISSIPPI STATE After LSU’s 7-1 defeat against Mississippi State on Sunday, junior first baseman Mason Katz said the team had a “little league lack of focus.”
That description may be appropriate, as LSU committed three errors against the Bulldogs and on, two occasions, lost track of how many outs there were.
After freshman pitcher Aaron Nola struck out Mississippi State third baseman Phillip Casey in the first inning for the second out, sophomore catcher Ty Ross rolled the ball back to the mound and started walking to the dugout. Mississippi State right fielder Demarcus Henderson advanced to third on the error and scored on the next play.
In the sixth inning, freshman center fielder Chris Sciambra made a diving catch for the inning’s second out. Sciambra came to his feet, pumped his fist and began walking to the dugout as a runner scored tagging from third.
“That was probably the most disturbing thing of the day,” said LSU head coach Paul Mainieri. “These Sundays have been a struggle for us. I told the kids that I know playing three days in a row is a grind. I think the kids knew that, but at the same time, those things are hard to explain.”
MCCUNE EXCELS IN NEW BULLPEN ROLE Sophomore pitcher Kurt McCune moved to the bullpen after being replaced by Nola, and it didn’t take long for him to get his first relief appearance of the season.
McCune worked two innings after replacing Nola in the seventh inning, striking out one batter and allowing just one hit – a solo home run to Mississippi State first baseman Wes Rea.