In its last non-conference game of the season the LSU baseball team will host Loyola without coach Smoke Laval today at 6:30 at Alex Box Stadium.
Laval is serving a one-game suspension due to a secondary violation of NCAA rules that occurred last season, which LSU self-reported to the Southeastern Conference office. LSU said the incident was ” an inadvertent clerical error.” Last year, two baseball players participated in a game in February of 2002 before they were certified to compete by the University. Both players were eventually given certification.
Assistant coaches Turtle Thomas and Brady Wiederhold will take on the role of head coaches for the Tigers during the game.
Jake Tompkins will likely be the starting pitcher. Tompkins (1-5, 5.05 ERA) last started in LSU’s 9-5 loss to Tulane, last Tuesday, in New Orleans. Tompkins went 3 2/3 innings giving up six runs.
Tompkins, who was an All-SEC selection last season as the LSU closer, began the season as the Tigers Friday night starter but did not perform like he was capable of and was moved to the bullpen.
Tompkins said he is looking forward to tonight’s game.
“I’ve definitely had ups and downs, with more downs than ups,” Tompkins said. “But what’s important is how you finish the season, and I think you are going to see what you saw from here on out last season.”
The LSU offense also is looking to get on track after scoring eight runs the entire weekend against Mississippi State, including six Sunday.
“I think we’re gonna try to get ready swinging the bats before the Auburn series,” said LSU outfielder Ryan Patterson.
Patterson said he’s going to try to see the ball better in order to get back into the rhythm he had before the Mississippi State series.
Loyola (18-32) is coming off a loss to William Carey University at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
However, the Wolfpack shutout Southern, April 22, stopping the Jaguars’ 23-game winning streak and 39-home game winning streak.
Loyola’s Jeff Pippenger and Alan Bouterie were both recently named GCAC Players of the Week.
Pippenger, the sophomore catcher for the Wolfpack, hit .625 with seven RBIs and three doubles against Stillman College last week.
Bouterie, a senior right-hander, pitched the four-hit, complete game shutout against Southern.
Patterson said the team knows they are going to have a tough series this weekend against Auburn, No. 2 in the Southeastern Conference Western Division, and they are going to use the midweek game to prepare.
LSU has declared the game “Fan Appreciation Night.” Tickets are priced at $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 3-12. A number of prizes will be given during the night such as autographed baseballs, chances to introduce the batters and a chance to sit with Jim Hawthorne for an inning.