The focus this weekend will be on who can throw strikes as the LSU baseball team takes on the defending Southeastern Conference champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks (19-10).
The Tigers (19-9-1) return home this weekend after playing two weekends on the road against Georgia and Alabama.
Head coach Smoke Laval said he plans to start freshman Justin Meier tonight in place of the recently injured Brian Wilson. Wilson is treating an elbow injury that could have him out the rest of the season.
This is another tough break for the Tiger’s pitching staff, which last year had the lowest ERA (3.43) in the SEC.
Laval is confident in both Meier, who he said deserves the start. He is also pleased with starter Nate Bumstead, who will make his third consecutive start in the weekend rotation Sunday.
      “We’re looking for him to start every SEC game next year,” Laval said.
Laval said Bumstead proved he “can definitely pitch in this conference.”
Senior Saturday starter Bo Pettit compared Meier to Lane Mestepey as a freshman.
“He doesn’t let outside things affect him,” Pettit said. “He stays within himself. He throws strikes.”
Pettit said he is confident in Laval’s decision to start Meier and does not feel any added pressure.
Last Saturday Pettit walked nine batters in LSU’s 10-6 win against Alabama and said he hopes to improve.
“I’m going to try not to walk anybody,” he said. “I want to come out there and throw strikes.”
Pettit said he will look to locate his fastball on both sides of the plate.
Laval believes the strength of the Carolina team is their pitching with two returning starters that pitched in the College World Series last year.
One of those pitchers is left-handed Friday starter Steven Bondurant. Bondurant had two complete games last season, including the Gamecocks 10-2 CWS win over Clemson.
“They’ve lost some fire power offensively,” Laval said.
He said they still have some good hitters in the middle of the lineup.
Laval is pleased with his lineup, which has shown its depth in the last week with home runs from designated hitter Ryan Patterson, first baseman Clay Harris, third baseman Ivan Naccarata and right fielder Jon Zeringue.
Last year the Tigers and Gamecocks met in the SEC tournament, with the Gamecocks taking the game in a 5-4 win.
The Tigers are second in the SEC, and the Gamecocks are No. 8 in the conference standings.
“I think they’re all going to be close games,” Laval said.