Entering into the second year of the Smoke Laval era, the LSU baseball team has lofty expectations.
Laval gave a position-by-position preview of the 2003 Tigers Tuesday and commented on the high expectations the Baton Rouge community has for its LSU baseball team.
“Expectations are very high [this year],” Laval said. “I think that’s why I came back [to LSU from University of Louisiana-Monroe]. The challenge is there. I think that’s why these gentlemen decided to come to play at LSU.”
“Are the expectations too high or too low,” said Laval. “Not really. I go into every game expecting to win it and preparing to win it.”
In his first season as head coach, Laval led the Tigers to a 44-22 record and a second-place finish in the Southeastern Conference Western Division. The Tigers went on to host and win the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional Tournament before losing to Rice in the Super Regional.
Laval said this year’s Tigers will lean on the pitching staff for support but should have more offensive firepower than last season. He said he does not foresee a 180-plus home run season like the 1997 gorilla ball team, but the team should hit more than last season when the Tigers belted 65.
Aaron Hill moves from shortstop to third base, filling the gap left by the tragic death of All-SEC third baseman Wally Pontiff. Hill played third base for the United States National Team this summer and is looking to have a productive season for the Tigers.
The Tigers want more offensive production this season, and Laval anticipates Hill being a little over anxious to get the runs started.
“It only counts as one run when you hit it over the fence,” Laval said to Hill. “It doesn’t matter if you hit it 600 feet, it is still one [run].”
Hill laughed at Laval’s comments, but understands what his coach meant.
“He just knows I’m ready to go,” Hill said. “He knows we’re all excited, and he wants everyone to relax.”
Another Tiger who is changing positions is Freshman All-America J.C. Holt. He will make the move from second base to center field.
“Coach wanted me to move to center field because we lost all of our outfielders and to utilize my speed,” Holt said. “It’s more natural for me because I can use my speed to run down fly balls.”
Multipurpose player Blake Gill is back in the lineup for the Tigers this season, and Laval does not quite know where to expect Gill to be throughout the course of the game.
“Blake Gill is one of those guys who can play anywhere,” Laval said. “He’s great to have, and he is very valuable. Maybe one time we can get him to play all nine positions in one ball game.”
Gill expects a lot from himself this season. He wants to hit more home runs and to be a leader in batting average. But he said it is the team expectations that matter the most.
“I think the sky is the limit,” Gill said. “Obviously, we want to win the SEC and win regionals and the super regional. And our ultimate goal is Omaha. Not only just to go, but to win. We want to dominate.”
Not many teams are able to set goals of this magnitude for its season, but the players said it comes with the territory.
“The expectations are always high for LSU baseball,” Hill said. “We’re picked to win the SEC again, and I’m looking forward to seeing us in action. We’re willing to live up to those expectations, and we’ll just see what happens.”