LSU Baseball Head Coach Jay Johnson addressed the media after securing the first sweep of in-conference play this season over the Missouri Tigers by a lopsided final score of 10-5.
When taking a closer look at how offensive production continues to thrive from different players making the most of their opportunities, Johnson recognizes how this talented depth across the active roster plays a pivotal role in stringing together impressive offensive performances.
“It’s an answer-back mentality. These [players] are really good when they are challenged, and it probably speaks to that competitive nature,” Head Coach Jay Johnson said. “Their ability to focus on what’s right in front of them… you don’t get disappointed by the other team scoring one or two [runs] and just getting back to playing offense.”
Freshman outfielder Derek Curiel continues to turn heads and present his case as the most talented freshman in the country, going 3-3 at the plate and drawing a walk in the process.
Additionally, Curiel has increased his on-base streak to 21 games. While boasting a club-leading .451 batting average, he also leads the team by a significant margin in the total number of walks drawn this season (23).
In the bottom of the first inning, with one on and one out, the Tigers found themselves starting to gain traction by establishing a 2-0 lead.
With one on and one out, sophomore right fielder Jake Brown absolutely annihilated a hitter’s-count pitch (two balls and one strike) that ended up clearing the bleachers in right field.
Not only was this two-run home run the first of the season for Brown, but this seemingly never-ending inning for the Missouri Tigers made this ballgame become out of reach.
While the purple and gold faithful remain pleased with performance across the diamond, Johnson believes that champion aspirations are fostered through the development and emergence of a competitive mindset.
“I mean, we treat every game like a playoff game… we don’t label them any different than that,” Johnson said. “Honestly, [conference play] didn’t feel any different… our job is to show up for the party and we did just that.”
Scoring 10 runs on a resounding collection of 14 hits, this offensive barrage proved to be enough to propel the LSU Tigers to the win column despite some pitching troubles.
Starting pitcher Chase Shores had significant trouble finding his command. His final line for this outing was 3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, and five strikeouts with 87 total pitches thrown.
However, coming on for relief from the bullpen, two right-handed pitchers made the most of their time on the mound.
Freshman Mavrick Rizy put together his best pitching performance of the season, pitching two-hitless innings (most across his collegiate appearances). At the same time, Zac Cowan recorded five strikeouts through his 2.1 innings pitched.
After completing this three-game series sweep, No.1-ranked LSU Baseball faces off against the University of New Orleans in their next matchup on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CST at Alex Box Stadium.
Following this matchup, the Tigers will have a couple of days off before traveling to take on the No.11-ranked Texas Longhorns in their first in-conference road series of the season.
