After finishing the 2008 season with a bang at the College World Series, members of the LSU baseball team are still hard at work competing in summer leagues around the country.
From the Cape Cod League to the USA National Team, the Tigers have been striving to continue their success in preparation for next season.
Catcher Micah Gibbs spent his summer anchoring Team USA on its way to a 24-0 record and a gold medal at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World Baseball Championships. The Collegiate National Team defeated Team Japan, 1-0, in the title game with Gibbs scoring the only run.
Gibbs played catcher and first base for the National Team and hit .264 with two home runs. Team USA coach Rob Walton said Gibbs is not only one of the best catchers in the country, but he is one of the best first basemen.
Rising sophomore DJ Lemahieu is another Tiger player excelling during summer league, playing shortstop and third base for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League.
“It’s been a fun summer,” Lemahieu said. “It’s good to play summer ball and hone your skills a little bit.”
After hitting .337 in 22 games, Lemahieu was recently awarded a spot on the Cape Cod All-Star team.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be an all-star,” Lemahieu said. “The game was a lot of fun; it was in Chatham with about 8,500 people there. I’m seeing the best of the best out in the Cape Cod League.”
As Lemahieu approaches the end of summer baseball, he said can’t wait for his second season with the Tigers.
“I am just looking forward to getting back because we are going to have a great team next year, too,” Lemahieu said. “We’re all excited to be back, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Rising junior Ryan Schimpf is tearing it up in the Valley League, hitting .367 with five home runs in 18 games. Schimpf said he prefers the wood bats used in most summer leagues instead of the aluminum bats used in collegiate baseball.
“My freshman year I had to make a little bit of an adjustment [with wooden bats],” Schimpf said. “I broke a good bit of bats, but I mean it’s just a feel thing. You have to find a feel for the wood bat, and I like it this year a lot.”
Schimpf plays for the Luray Wranglers, who are 30-15 and in first place in the North Division of the Valley Baseball League. But Schimpf said he can’t wait to be back with the Tigers.
“It was such an exciting season last year,” Schimpf said. “I almost want to just jump right back into it. Playing in a new stadium and playing some real games again will be fun.”
Rising sophomore Leon Landry is playing well in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, hitting .311 in 18 games. Landry plays outfield for Youse’s Maryland Orioles, who are currently first place in their league.
“Playing summer ball is really fun,” Landry said. “All the guys on the team are really cool, and it doesn’t hurt that our coach is a scout for the [Baltimore] Orioles.”
Landry’s summer success is no surprise to him.
“I’m known for my defense at LSU, but I can swing,” Landry said. “Up here I am getting some good swings in with the wooden bat and trying to focus on that aspect of the game right now. It’s going to carry over and make me a better player.”
—-Contact Tyler Harvey at [email protected]