The No. 1 LSU baseball team didn’t have many question marks entering this season, but perhaps the most glaring was who would be the Tigers’ closer. 
Seven saves later, that job is redshirt freshman pitcher Jesse Stallings’ to lose. 
Stallings has made eight appearances as a closer this season, giving up just two hits over 7 and 2/3 scoreless innings while holding opponents to a .083 batting average.  
It’s been a long road back to the mound for Stallings, who received a medical redshirt in 2014 after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow. After sitting out for an entire season, Stallings said he is starting to feel like an everyday baseball player again. 
“I feel like I’m getting in a routine,” Stallings said. “Every time I go out on the mound, I feel more confident, and that’s carrying over each time.”  
The Colfax, Louisiana, native hasn’t been perfect this season. He gave up a double to the first batter he faced on opening night. But he’s gotten the job done every time he’s come out of the pen. 
When Stallings makes his way to the mound, his teammates know something exciting is bound to happen. After a year out of the game, the Grant High School product is relishing his new role with the Tigers, throwing every pitch like it’s his last. 
“He has the mentality of a closer,” said LSU sophomore pitcher Hunter Newman. “He gets jacked up on anything. Even when he throws a strike, he gets jacked. He just has his confidence way up there, and that’s what a closer needs.” 
Stallings has been nearly untouchable since giving up a double to Kansas senior outfielder Dakota Smith in the season-opener on Feb. 13. LSU’s newest closer has given up one hit since then and struck out 11 batters against four walks. 
Stallings also has struck out the side in two of his eight appearances — something he takes extra pride in doing. 
“It’s always fun striking somebody out, but when you strike out the last three batters of the game, it’s even better,” Stallings said. 
Not only has Stallings’ electric play given him more confidence on the mound, it has also invigorated his teammates, who watched the 20-year-old battle through one of the most career-altering procedures in sports before returning to the diamond. 
“For a guy like Jesse coming off a serious injury, it just makes you happy to be able to go to work with him everyday,” said LSU senior pitcher Kyle Bouman. “It makes you really happy as a baseball player but also a friend to see him go out there and have success.”  
But in LSU’s narrow 2-0 victory against Baylor on Saturday, Stallings had to battle through his first jam of the season. 
Against the Bears, Stallings loaded the bases after giving up a single and two walks — his most in an appearance this season. But never one to shy away from big moments, Stallings calmly fooled the last Baylor batter of the day with a changeup over the plate before celebrating his seventh save in 16 games. 
It was the type of game LSU coach Paul Mainieri said his freshman right-hander needed, especially with Southeastern Conference action beginning against Ole Miss this weekend. 
“I was happy he had to go through that because he’s been almost perfect,” Mainieri said. “He’s had so many clean innings. This one really tested his mettle. He came through with flying colors.” 
But while some players prefer to move past their mistakes, Stallings said he keeps them at the forefront of his mind. It helps him avoid making the same mistake twice.  
“I always try to keep [my mistakes] in my mind,” Stallings said. “If you forget about them, you’re not going to try to fix them.” 
You can reach David Gray on Twitter @dgray_TDR.