Non-conference baseball games don’t get more intense than this.
Two teams that have combined for 10 of the past 32 national baseball championships will clash this weekend at Alex Box Stadium as the No. 16 LSU baseball team (12-1) hosts No. 6 Cal State Fullerton (8-3).
“It’s going to be a battle, no doubt,” said LSU junior shortstop Austin Nola. “We can’t wait. We’re so excited to play a really good program like that.”
The Titans hold a 4-3 advantage all-time against the Tigers but were only 1-2 at the old Alex Box Stadium. The two teams haven’t met since the 2003 College World Series when Fullerton won, 8-2.
While LSU hasn’t faced a ranked opponent yet this season, Fullerton has already seen No. 15 North Carolina and No. 7 TCU. The Titans lost in extra innings to the Tar Heels, 4-3, and took two of three from the Horned Frogs.
Fullerton’s .267 team batting average this season isn’t staggering compared to LSU’s .321 average, but the Titans still managed to win six straight games coming into this weekend’s series.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri said the Titans have made the “West Coast baseball” style famous.
“Fullerton hasn’t had a single home run this year, and yet they’re one of the best teams in the country,” Mainieri said. “They draw walks, hit and run, bunt, squeeze, they play small ball and put a lot of pressure on the defense.”
While Fullerton’s offense hasn’t been eye-opening, its opponents’ .217 batting average is staggering.
Fullerton held opponents to a .110 batting average last week and allowed four hits or fewer in each of its last four games.
“The reason for Fullerton’s success has always been pitching and defense,” Mainieri said.
The Fullerton pitching staff has a 2.09 ERA with 85 strikeouts and 25 walks. All three projected starters this weekend boast ERAs under 2.00.
LSU’s pitching staff can’t be overlooked, either. The Tigers have a 2.69 team ERA, and junior pitcher Tyler Jones’ seven-inning appearance Wednesday saved most relief pitchers from having to throw this week.
“[They’re] going to be tough games, so we’re going to need all the arms we’ve got,” Jones said.
Starting tonight for the Titans is junior Noe Ramirez, who is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA. He went eight innings and allowed one hit in a 10-1 win against USC on Friday.
Freshman Kurt McCune will take the mound for LSU for his second-straight Friday start. McCune threw 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball in his last start and is 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA this season.
Freshman Kevin Gausman is expected to pitch Saturday against Fullerton junior pitcher Tyler Pill. Gausman is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA, while Pill is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA.
“I have a lot of confidence in those young kids,” Mainieri said. “They’ve got three starts each under their belts now, and now they’re obviously going to jump to another level of competition.”
Pill’s low ERA is nothing compared to the stunning 0.82 ERA from Fullerton’s expected Sunday starter, junior Colin O’Connell, who is 2-0 this year.
He will face senior pitcher Ben Alsup, who is 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA. Alsup’s last start came in Sunday’s 8-7 loss against Princeton.
The Titans arrive one weekend before Southeastern Conference play begins for LSU next Friday against No. 1 Florida.
“It’s going to be great baseball,” Mainieri said. “But when it’s over, it’s over, and right around the corner is the SEC schedule. We’ve got to keep that in mind because those are really the big games for us.”
Follow Rowan Kavner on Twitter @TDR_Kavner.
 
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