I wrote a column March 29 about the LSU baseball team’s pitching staff doing just enough to give the Tigers the chance to win ball games.At the time, the Tiger pitchers were allowing runs but were able to hold teams just enough, while the Tigers’ offense seemed to get hot at the right times. That feels like a long  time ago — and it’s barely been a month. The Tigers were off to the second-best start in program history with a 32-6 record. The best was the 1997 squad’s 33-5 start.Since then, LSU has come apart at the seams — or should I say stitches. This team dropped its last seven games and has fallen to fourth place in the Southeastern Conference Western Division. If the SEC tournament started today, the Tigers would be the seventh seed.What is to blame for this 180-degree turnaround?I blame the men on the mound — the same men I praised a little more than a month ago for their poise and composure.The LSU pitching staff has been awful during this stretch. There are no exceptions.LSU ace, junior Anthony Ranaudo, has gone through two of the worst starts of his college career. Ranaudo gave up nine runs through just 1 1/3 innings April 24 at Ole Miss. He gave up four runs through two innings his next start.Oddly enough, the rest of the pitching staff, who were keeping the ship afloat in Ranaudo’s absence, seem to be struggling just as much.Junior right hander Austin Ross, who began the season as the Saturday starter, has been coming out of the bullpen recently and has been struggling to find success on the mound. He has seen his ERA climb to 5.54.Sophomore right hander Joey Bourgeois, who looked like he would be one of the Tigers’ most consistent pitchers early in the season, has watched his ERA climb above six.Sophomore lefty Chris Matulis, who earned a starting spot midway through the season, has lost his last two decisions after beginning the season 5-0.All of these pitchers look like they aren’t in rhythm on the mound.For example, Matty Ott, usually LSU’s right handed closer, started the third game of LSU’s series at Florida and looked uncomfortable.This is the same staff that was giving up big innings earlier in the year but was able to focus in and stop the bleeding.The pitchers don’t seem to be able to do that now.      What makes the Tigers’  hurlers look even worse is that the LSU offense hasn’t been as potent as it was at the start of the season.This drop in production seems to coincide with the loss of sophomore left fielder Trey Watkins to injury.Watkins scored 36 runs and stole 13 bases in the 25 games he played. The 13 bases rank third for the Tigers. Watkins also has the third-best on base percentage.  Watkins was a great leadoff hitter because he found ways to get on base and move his way into scoring position. He is patient at the plate – he draws walks and waits for his pitch to hit before putting the ball in play, leaving the door open.The Tigers moved right fielder Mikie Mahtook to the leadoff position in Watkins’ absence. Mahtook is more than capable of batting at the top of the order, but helped the offense more when he batted later in the lineup.Having Mahtook at the plate with runners on base helps the team more than him being at the plate and jacking leadoff homers.But, when it all boils down, the Tigers could score as many runs as they want to. Unless the pitching staff steps up, LSU could be watching the SEC tournament, not playing in it.     Amos Morale is a 22-year-old history senior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_amosmorale3. –Contact Amos Morale at [email protected]