There’s not a day that goes by that Kramer Robertson doesn’t think about Coastal Carolina.
“Since the day we lost, my screensaver on my phone is the picture of Coastal Carolina dog-piling on my position,” Robertson said. “I look at that every single day. There hasn’t been one day since that game two ended that I don’t think about my last at-bat, I don’t think about could I have done more.”
Robertson, a junior last year, had the opportunity to sign professionally, but the senior shortstop came back for one reason: the College World Series.
“If I was at any other school, other than LSU, I probably would’ve signed,” Robertson said. “But I’ve never been to Omaha. It’s an obsession for me. I have dreams about it. It’s really all I can think about. I’ve never been more motivated for anything in my life.”
Robertson is just one of the veterans who turned down professional contracts to come back. Seniors Jared Poche’ and Cole Freeman, as well as junior Greg Deichmann all decided to return for this season, giving LSU a veteran nucleus which last year’s team lacked. Head coach Paul Mainieri calls them his “Fab Four.”
“Our team would have a significantly different look to it if those four guys were not back,” Mainieri said. “We’ve got quite a veteran presence on this team. When you think about teams that go to Omaha and have success in Omaha, a lot of times you see teams with a very good senior presence. Our team this year has eight seniors. It’s quite an advantage for us.”
Poche’, who is 12 wins away from becoming LSU’s all-time career wins leader, is excited to be back for another year.
“With all the guys coming back, I was thinking we could have a real good year this year,” Poche’ said. “I’m happy with the decision I made. I think it’s gonna turn out to be one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”
Junior pitcher Alex Lange, who Mainieri calls “one of the all-time greats,” will be LSU’s other rock in the starting rotation. He could hardly contain his excitement when he heard that Poche’ would be returning.
“I just started smiling,” Lange said. “I’m so pumped. He’s an incredible talent.”
LSU’s first game is at Alex Box Stadium on Feb. 17 against Air Force.