The perfect remedy for the recently declining No. 11 LSU baseball team could be facing another team with a similar dilemma.
LSU (16-5, 0-3) takes its four-game losing streak to Georgia (9-12, 1-2) this weekend for its first away Southeastern Conference series against a Bulldog team that is in a three-game schneid of its own.
“This is such a humbling game,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “You think you’re on top of the world and it’s coming easy to you, and all of a sudden you get shocked back into reality.”
Georgia’s hitting .258 with a 4.88 ERA, ranking No. 12 in the SEC in both categories, while LSU is fourth in the SEC with a .313 batting average and ninth in the SEC with a 3.62 ERA.
The ERA would be lower if it weren’t for an 11-5 loss Tuesday to Louisiana-Lafayette.
“Friday night is the start of a new season,” said junior shortstop Austin Nola. “We’ve got to look ahead. You can’t dwell in the past.”
The Tigers’ penchant for stealing bases could come in handy this weekend. LSU has nabbed 43-of-53 stolen-base attempts this season, while Georgia opponents are 33-for-40 in stolen-base attempts.
“I’m sure they’re working feverishly with their catchers and pitchers to stop the running game,” Mainieri said. “Unfortunately for us, they have two left-handed starting pitchers, which makes it much more difficult to try to steal second base.”
LSU will send the normal weekend rotation to the mound, starting with freshman Kurt McCune (3-0) on Friday.
Junior closer Matty Ott surrendered two runs and four hits in an inning against ULL and took the loss Friday against Florida after surrendering three runs in 1/3 of an inning.
Mainieri said freshman Ryan Eades or sophomore transfer Kevin Berry could fill the closer role if Ott doesn’t work out the kinks.
“I’m sure part of it is mental, part of it is a little bit mechanical, but really the big thing is he’s just not making the big pitch when he needs to,” Mainieri said.
A few lineup changes were instilled against Louisiana-Lafayette in hopes of sparking the offense. Freshman second baseman JaCoby Jones led off, switching his normal No. 9 spot in the lineup with junior left fielder Trey Watkins.
Jones went 0-for-4, while Watkins went 1-for-4. Mainieri said Jones needs to be more selective at the plate as a leadoff hitter, while Watkins needs to raise his average from .233.
“Hitting .230 and not getting on base enough is just not acceptable with the kind of player [Watkins] is,” Mainieri said. “If he doesn’t respond in a positive way, we’re going to have to look at some other options.”
Junior Mike Lowery played first base for the first time this season on Tuesday and went 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
“The only problem is tomorrow night we’re facing a pretty tough left hander,” Mainieri said. “I may go back to [sophomore] Alex Edward tomorrow night and throw an all right-handed lineup against this kid.”
The Bulldogs have already played an SEC-leading 11 games against ranked opponents, going 4-7 in those games. Junior center fielder Mikie Mahtook said they won’t be surprised by LSU’s talent this weekend.
“We’re at their place, and nobody likes to lose at home,” Mahtook said. “It’s going to be a tough three-game series.”
LSU took two of three games against Georgia in Baton Rouge last season, including a 15-5 win in the series finale.
Regardless of who wins this weekend, one team will end its current slide. Mainieri said it’s important not to look too far ahead when trying to break out of a slump.
“We’re going to Georgia with the idea we want to win a game,” Mainieri said. “Once we’re able to win one, we’ll think about winning a second game.”
Follow Rowan Kavner on Twitter @TDR_Kavner.
 
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