LSU pitcher Bo Pettit knows solid pitching is the best defense against a potent batting order. Good thing the Tigers’ pitching staff is their biggest strength.
Pettit and the LSU pitching staff could have their hands full this weekend at Alex Box Stadium as the Tigers (11-7) open up Southeastern Conference play against the SEC’s best offensive team — the Florida Gators (15-3).
“This is the start of a new season,” Pettit said of opening SEC play. “This is where all the marbles are on the table, so you’ve got to play with everything you’ve got.”
The Gators lead the league in batting average (.356), home runs (27), doubles (59), runs scored (208) and average more than 10 runs per game.
Ben Harrison leads the attack, hitting .431 with five home runs and 29 RBIs.
Florida has scored 10 runs or more 10 times this season, including outputs of 22 and 28 runs.
During a six-game period from Feb. 19 to March 1, the Gators scored 99 runs, nearly 17 runs per game.
LSU will try and match that offensive firepower with a pitching staff carrying an ERA of 3.03.
Pettit is no stranger to the Florida lineup.
Last season the Gators also touted one of the league’s best offensive teams, which Pettit limited to one run over eight innings in the series’ rubber game that gave LSU the series win at Florida.
“What I remember about last year is [Florida does] a pretty good job of hitting the ball to right field,” Pettit said. “They do a pretty good job of adjusting with two strikes. They’re pretty much like any SEC team. They’re going to be tough, swing the bats well and hit with power.”
Pettit (2-0, 1.29 ERA) gets his chance at the Gator lineup Saturday afternoon at 2. Brian Wilson (3-2, 4.18) starts today’s 6:30 p.m. tilt while Jake Tompkins (0-2, 4.80) takes the mound Sunday at 1 p.m. in the final game of the series.
Pettit said his game plan does not change even though Florida has an explosive lineup.
“I go out there with the same kind of mindset,” he said. “I just want to pitch with what I got, make good pitches and just compete out there. I’m not going to go in there and try and do anything different. Florida does have a strong hitting ballclub, just like last year.”
The Gators pitching staff counters with sophomore right-handers Conner Falkenbach (2-0, 4.67) tonight and Justin Hoyman (3-0, 3.33) on Saturday. Florida coach Pat McMahon has yet to decide on who will start Sunday.
LSU coach Smoke Laval is anxious to see how the team competes over the three-game set.
“Here again, we just want to see the intensity and play one game at a time,” Laval said. “Try and see if we can keep focused for three games.”
Laval said the team has improved offensively each weekend, but he would like to see more consistent at-bats from LSU hitters, who come into the game carrying a .287 team batting average.
“We’re just looking to see the ball and drive it,” designated hitter Quinn Stewart said. “We’ve been working hard about staying down, not popping the ball up and hitting a lot of line drives. Hopefully we’ll get something rolling.”
Third baseman Ivan Naccarata leads LSU offensively with a .354 batting average and currently is on a 15-game hitting streak.
“He’s swinging the bat well,” shortstop Aaron Hill said. “He’s a big key to our lineup right now.”
Hill said the team is looking forward to starting conference play.
“It’s an SEC weekend, so it’s going to be tough,” he said. “No SEC weekend is going to be a blowout for any team. Even if they’re last in the conference, they’re still going to be a good matchup. This is where it starts. This is where the fun begins.”