One week from today, most LSU students will be switching out their school bag for a beach bag, relishing the blissfully idle sweet release that comes with the conclusion of classes.
But for some students, the business started in the spring isn’t finished, and I urge you to take some time from your busy schedule to keep tabs on LSU’s boys of summer.
Get out to the ballpark. Enjoy the aromatic mixture of freshly cut grass and steaming hot dogs. Take in the between-innings organ music that can’t be found anywhere else.
Once the inning starts, keep your eyes glued to the field because the 2012 Tigers have the potential to make a run to remember this summer.
The team sports its own diverse cast of characters and talent that are worth watching, especially because they’re winning. And doing it in a way Gorilla Ball fans could only define as “Bizarro-LSU.”
Sophomore pitcher Kevin Gausman, LSU’s undisputed ace and recent addition to the Golden Spikes Award watch list,has anchored one of the better pitching staffs in recent memory.
Gausman’s not hard to find. Like clockwork, around 7 p.m. every Friday night, Gausman revs the crowd with a Happy
Gilmore-style crow-hop throw that likely reaches triple digits to sophomore catcher Ty Ross from behind the mound.
When he’s not putting batters away with his electric fastball or a knee-buckling curveball, he’s in the dugout putting away his customary four Little Debbie powdered donuts between each inning.
Catch a glimpse of this rosy-cheeked Colorado native with a howitzer for a right arm when you can, because if you take one look behind the plate when he pitches you’ll see drooling scouts armed with radar guns and notebooks.
Gausman is eligible for the 2012 draft, and it would be hard to see him turning down the money that comes as a high first-round draft pick.
Joining Gausman are sophomore Ryan Eades and freshman Aaron Nola – giving the Tigers a 1-2-3 punch rivaling the 2009 College World Series team.
But the Tigers aren’t all arms. They happen to have a former walk-on in Raph Rhymes who is flirting with becoming the second SEC baseball player in history to bat above .500 for an entire season.
But the most interesting part about Rhymes’ ascension to being the best hitter in college baseball is the way he’s done it. He’s been unselfish, hitting a ball on the ground to the right side to advance a runner, shortening his stroke with two strikes – things that have helped the team win.
And winning is what the Tigers have done. They have already matched their win total from last year, and 11 games are still remaining on their regular season slate.
So put the 48-hour Call of Duty marathon on hold. If you absolutely need to see the newest summer blockbuster, take in the matinée.
When LSU is on the field, put everything else aside because you might be watching history.
Luke Johnson is a 26-year-old mass communication senior from Lake Mills, Wis.
—- Contact Luke Johnson at [email protected]