LSU Baseball took care of business with an impressive performance in their season opener against Purdue Fort Wayne, finding themselves in the win column by a final score of 14-0.
Junior infielder Daniel Dickinson, who transferred from Utah Valley State during the offseason, demonstrated what type of offensive production can be expected over the course of the season.
During his first plate appearance in the purple and gold, Dickinson blasted a single into left-center field and notched his first two RBIs while extending the Tigers’ lead to 3-0.
Later in the next inning, Dickinson would continue to make his presence known from an offensive standpoint. First pitch swinging, Dickinson launched a double deep to left field, just a couple of feet away from landing in the grandstands, and scored two additional base runners.
Dickinson would finish the game going 3-for-4 with five RBIs, before being replaced by JUCO transfer Tanner Reaces with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“[I’m] just seeing the ball really well [and] my swing couldn’t be in a better spot,” Dickinson said. “[I] put in a lot of work before practice and out of practice… I think, at this point, it’s pretty well known that I’ve kind of been an underdog my whole life [and] have worked for every opportunity.”
With the integration of new players across the batting lineup, another transfer showed off his talents on both sides of the diamond.
Junior outfielder Chris Stanfield, who played the last two seasons at Auburn, ignited the Tigers’ explosive offense with a leadoff triple during the bottom of the first inning. Coming across the plate and scoring two runs, LSU Baseball Head Coach Jay Johnson is thankful and relieved that his team will not be on the receiving end of Stanfield’s playmaking ability.
“I remember very vividly [when] Stanfield was a freshman at Auburn… Paul Skenes was pitching, and this guy hit just two rockets off of Skenes,” Head Coach Jay Johnson said. “I think we can do something here… he’s a great kid, and he’s excited to be here.”
Regarding the flashing of his leather, Stanfield made a miraculous, diving catch rushing inward from centerfield at the bottom of the fifth inning, which robbed Purdue Fort Wayne of a potential extra-base hit. After the catch, those in attendance at Alex Box Stadium loudly applauded and tipped their cap to the newest Tiger outfielder.
When taking a closer look into the pitching rotation, starting pitcher Kade Anderson maneuvered through the Mastodon batting order without much resistance.
Through five innings of work, Anderson finished with eight strikeouts and only allowed four hits with 83 pitches thrown. Additionally, he retired 17 of the 20 batters he faced during his outing.
“[Anderson] probably could’ve pitched for Team USA this year, we decided it was in his best interest to get into the weight room… he’s more physical,” Johnson said. “In my opinion, he’s the leader of the pitching staff and has the best pitching ability and character.”
Freshman right-handed pitcher Casan Evans made his collegiate debut and followed in Anderson’s footsteps, striking out four batters across two innings of work.
Nicholls State transfer Jacob Mayers pitched a scoreless eighth inning, picking up two strikeouts along the way. Then, to put an exclamation point on this season opener, freshman left-hander Cooper Williams came on for relief in the ninth inning and struck out all three batters he faced.
In terms of returning players this season, standout first baseman Jared Jones had a relatively quiet productive day at the plate. Jones finished with two RBIs and two runs scored.
No. 2 ranked LSU Baseball will face off against Purdue Fort Wayne in their next matchup on Saturday, Feb. 15, at a now-rescheduled time of 11:00 a.m. CST at Alex Box Stadium.
Junior right-handed pitcher Anthony Eyanson will take the mound for the Tigers.
