The next seven days will be a big test for the LSU baseball team early in the season. The Tigers (7-0) will play six games in that stretch and will start with a rare four-game weekend featuring two teams — Pepperdine (3-4) and Brown (0-0). “Pepperdine was originally going to play us on a Wednesday and then go to Tulane and play them in a three-game series,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “Tulane canceled the series on Pepperdine, and the coach was really disappointed because he had been planning a trip to Louisiana, so he called me and asked if there was anything I could do to help.”Mainieri then called Brown coach Marek Drabinski and arranged for the three teams to each play four games this weekend. LSU will play Pepperdine tonight, Brown on Friday, Pepperdine again on Saturday and finish the weekend with its second game against Brown on Sunday.”It’s obviously a very stern test right out of the gate,” Drabinski said. “That’s kind of how we’d like to do it.”The Tigers will play without the services of their ace pitcher, junior Anthony Ranaudo, once again this weekend. Ranaudo will miss his second consecutive start because of a minor elbow injury he incurred last week. Mainieri said he feels the other two teams could benefit from not having to face Ranaudo. “On paper you would have to say they have an advantage over us,” he said. “It’s something we’re going to have to overcome and accept that challenge.”To help with the challenge, the Tigers will give a midweek starter from last season another chance at starting. Sophomore Chris Matulis (1-0) will start tonight. He has appeared in one game this season — a contest last week against McNeese State.He pitched five complete innings in that relief appearance and gave up four hits while striking out five batters. “I’m honored that I’m going to get this start,” Matulis said. “It’s the first start of the year, so I’m excited about that. It could be anybody out there throwing instead of me, so no matter who comes after me or no matter when we throw, I’ll have confidence.”Other players will need to have confidence in their arms as well because Mainieri said any pitcher could be called upon to contribute this weekend if the situation calls for it. “I have a sneaking suspicion most teams are going to play their top starters against us,” Mainieri said. “We only have two top starters, and we can’t pitch them in all four games.”Friday’s starter will be junior Austin Ross (1-0). Ross shone in his first outing two weekends ago against Centenary, but was roughed up a little against William & Mary on Saturday in LSU’s 10-9 victory.He pitched five innings in the start and gave up four runs on four hits while striking out eight.Saturday’s starter will be sophomore Joey Bourgeois (1-0).Bourgeois also had a very successful pitching debut, but was less effective in LSU’s 9-6 win against William & Mary on Sunday. He pitched 4 1/3 innings in that contest while allowing four runs on four hits. He struck out six batters but walked five more.Sunday’s starting pitcher has not been finalized, but Mainieri said he would like to start freshman Jordan Rittiner. Mainieri said he would hold off determining that position because he did not know how pitching needs would pan out during the course of the weekend. GIBBS NAMED TO JOHNNY BENCH AWARD WATCH LISTJunior catcher Micah Gibbs was named to the Johnny Bench Award watch list along with 52 other collegiate catchers across the nation. The award is given to the top NCAA Division-I catcher. —–Contact Johanathan Brooks at [email protected]