LSU baseball is inching closer to taking the field in Hoover, Alabama, after receiving a bye for the first two rounds of the SEC Tournament. The energy is brewing as the Tigers hope to make some noise and win the SEC championship to kick off a postseason run.
In round two of the single-elimination tournament, Texas A&M took on Auburn for the right to face LSU in the quarterfinals on Friday at 6:30 p.m. It was a long and well-fought matchup through all nine innings, and the No. 14 seed Aggies prevailed in a 3-2 upset.
But with all this noise the Aggies are making, how will they line up with the Tigers after facing off against them earlier this season and taking home a series win in College Station?
LSU has growing momentum going into this game, and the confidence is high coming off a series win against South Carolina in Columbia where the Tigers got back to the basics of the game.
LSU hitters have been on the mark recently with immense power. If players like junior designated hitter Ethan Frey, with the team’s leading batting average of .356; junior first baseman Jared Jones, following right behind him with .344; and new right field starter Jake Brown, with .331, heat up, LSU will score sizeable runs in this Aggie matchup on Friday evening.
With no official pitching starter for Friday named yet, will ace sophomore Kade Anderson take to the mound? If one game is lost here in Hoover, the Tigers will be sent back to Baton Rouge to prepare for the regional next week, and head coach Jay Johnson wants anything but that.
“I want to win this tournament because it’s a competition, but on top of that, what an incredible opportunity being able to play three teams capable of winning the national championship,” said Jay Johnson.
Anderson has been a constant presence for LSU, delivering 133 strikeouts and a 7-1 record.
Also following up behind him is transfer Anthony Eyanson, who has made a significant mark not only on the program but also on the SEC, causing head turns wherever he goes. He has a team-leading 2.88 ERA and has also delivered 121 strikeouts so far this season. Not many hits can get past these pitchers and the rest of LSU’s bullpen when they are right in the zone.
As for LSU’s opponent, when the Aggies are in the flow, they are a dangerous team. LSU can attest to that, having lost a series to them in the back half while in College Station.
The Aggies are paced by a lethal pitching rotation, highlighted by junior right-hander Ryan Prager, who has emerged as a true ace with a sub-3.00 ERA and over 100 strikeouts. Offensively, outfielder Jace LaViolette continues to terrorize opposing pitchers with his power and patience at the plate, while Caden Sorrell and Kaeden Kent provide additional firepower and versatility.
But as of Thursday morning, hitters like Jace LaViolette and Caden Sorrell no longer pose a threat to the LSU pitching staff. After a ball to his arm Thursday, LaViolette will be in a cast, leaving a gap for the Aggies to fill in times of need, but that doesn’t seem to concern Aggie head coach Michael Early.
“I’m confident in our players’ fight and readiness in every single game,” Early said.
On the mound, since A&M has been playing since Tuesday, the team has been extending the bullpen for two straight days, which may play a factor.
As the SEC Tournament heats up in Hoover, Texas A&M will look to continue making noise and prove they’re not just regular season contenders, but legitimate threats to win it all in June.
With a balanced roster, elite arms and a locked-in lineup, the Aggies have all the tools to run the table and bring home an SEC title.
On the other side, LSU is embracing the No. 3 spot and aiming to remind everyone why it was a preseason favorite. With recent momentum and a roster full of postseason experience, the Tigers are determined to show that they’re still the team to beat when it matters most.
Whether it’s a statement win over a top seed or a deep run in Hoover, LSU is ready to remind the college baseball world why they are prepared to return to Omaha in June.
