PRETTY IN PINK
The Tigers had a slightly different look when they took the field Wednesday night.
In lieu of their normal purple or red batting helmets, players from both teams were wearing pink helmets in a show of support for breast cancer awareness.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri’s sister, Cathy Mainieri Gagnon, and former LSU slugger Mikie Mahtook’s mother, Mary Ann Mahtook, each threw a ceremonial first pitch to commemorate the game.
“It was nice to have a night where we can bring awareness to a terrible disease and make sure men and women alike go out and get checked,” Mainieri said. “If they catch it early, it will help the chances of surviving.”
HITS IN DROVES
Junior outfielder Raph Rhymes delivered another one of his ho-hum stellar days at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three singles to raise his
batting average to a Southeastern Conference-best .479 this season.
It’s Rhymes’ 14th multiple-hit game this season, and seventh of at least three or more hits.
“I’ve always been a guy that’s tried to have a good at-bat,” Rhymes said. “I’ve put some good swings on the ball, and I hope it continues.”
Rhymes nearly had his fourth hit of the night in the sixth inning, but his line drive up the middle of the field was snagged by ULL second baseman Jace Conrad for the third out.
CONFIDENT IN COTTON
Junior left-hander Chris Cotton continued to be LSU’s go-to lefty specialist in clutch situations.
The Shreveport native entered the game with two outs and the bases loaded, facing ULL’s cleanup hitter, who he retired on a ground ball to end the frame.
“Coach Mainieri has confidence to put me out there, and it gives me the confidence to go in and throw strikes,” Cotton said.
 
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Contact Luke Johnson at [email protected]