Justin Meier is a freshman.
But teammates and coaches say he pitches like a seasoned veteran.
Evoking memories of Lane Mestepey, a freshman two seasons ago, Meier hopes to continue his success on the mound and build off a solid first Southeastern Conference start against Ole Miss today beginning at 7 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium.
Meier excelled in his first SEC start against South Carolina last Friday, allowing just one run in a complete game performance. He is 4-0 with a 1.38 ERA.
What Meier has done on the mound has impressed many, including shortstop Aaron Hill.
“To take the place of Brian Wilson and do the job that he did last weekend, you can’t ask for anything more,” Hill said. “He’s a freshman, and he’s played like he’s been here three years.”
Meier said he could improve on how he pitches to the leadoff hitters in every inning, despite all the success he had against the Gamecocks.
“If I could copy what I did last weekend every weekend, that would be great,” Meier said. “I’d like to keep that going. It’s good to get a win on Friday, it builds momentum.”
LSU coach Smoke Laval has confidence in the freshman in spite of his lack of true college baseball experience.
“We wouldn’t put him out there if we didn’t think we could win,” Laval said. “Now it’s just getting a consistent pitching pattern. Obviously he isn’t going to be able to do it every single game, but at least we know what we’re going to get when we put him out there.”
Another LSU player performing very well is Hill. In his last three games, the junior is hitting .750, with two home runs, two doubles, two triples and nine RBIs.
“When Aaron is hot, he doesn’t try to force things,” hitting instructor and assistant coach Turtle Thomas said. “He doesn’t try to swing at bad pitches. He’s pretty selective. Just like Ted Williams said, getting a good pitch to hit is the most important thing in hitting. That’s what he’s trying to do. He is hot, and he is swinging a good bat.”
Hill said the rest of the Tiger team is hitting well and serves as a catalyst for his hot streak
“It’s fun,” Hill said. “When the rest of the team is hitting, you’re hitting too. I feel comfortable up there.”
Ole Miss is second in the SEC in pitching in conference games. With sophomore ace Alan Horne out after undergoing Tommy John surgery Thursday, starting pitchers T.J. Beam and Mark Holliman have had to step up.
Beam is 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA while Holliman is 3-2 with a 2.19 ERA.
“They’ve got very good, quality pitching — starting and relieving,” Thomas said. “Their order is very much dominated by seniors and freshmen.”
The Rebels’ top hitter is freshman first baseman Stephen Head. Head is hitting .374.
“It’s an SEC weekend,” Hill said. “It really does not matter what their stats are or who they’ve got. It’s the SEC, and it’s going to be a dog fight all three games.”
Offensively, Laval said designated hitter Quinn Stewart will be in the lineup against left handers and center fielder J.C. Holt will be in against right handers.