This week of LSU baseball has brought many shocks to the club and fans — some good, some bad.
 
SCORELESS OUTINGS
Junior left-hander Greg Smith continued his scoreless inning streak this past weekend in Vanderbilt and was named player of the week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
In his third consecutive complete game, Smith increased his streak to 25.2 consecutive innings without giving up a run. The streak began at Ole Miss in the second inning and continued through an Arkansas shutout and again at Vanderbilt.
The streak is the longest in more than 15 years. The last player to exceed 25.2 innings was Ben McDonald in 1989.
McDonald still holds the Southeastern Conference record for 44.2 straight scoreless innings. Smith’s streak began on the road and each game since then has been away. Smith will look to continue the streak in front of the home crowd this weekend against Kentucky.
 
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
Senior Ryan Patterson still holds the most home runs in the SEC at 17, but he has company in the RBI and doubles department. Fellow senior Nick Stavinoha went 7 for 14 last weekend at Vandy with two home runs, two doubles, four RBIs and three runs.
The right fielder drove in all three runs on Sunday to put the Tigers past the Commodores 3-0. Stavinoha stands at .370 on the year.
 
SHARING THE SPOTLIGHT
LSU was stunned Tuesday night at the Box with a 9-5 defeat to intercity rival Southern University. The loss was only the second time the Tigers fell to Southern in school history. LSU is now 39-2 against the Jaguars.
The loss marked the fourth Tiger loss against Louisiana schools this season — LSU fell to Tulane twice and Centenary earlier in the year.
 
FRIDAY BLUES
Senior Lane Mestepey continues to struggle during his Friday starts. The left-hander lasted only 2.2 innings at Vanderbilt after giving up six runs and three walks — including two hit batters.
The recent struggle has been dated back to LSU’s second SEC series against Auburn in mid-March. The loss was followed by a loss to Alabama, South Carolina, Ole Miss before a break in Arkansas with a 10-7 comeback win.
LSU coach Smoke Laval has not hinted toward any changes in the pitching rotation for the upcoming series against Kentucky.
 
SILENCE OF THE TIGERS
Both corners of Alex Box Stadium are filled with rowdy bunches.
Coon’s Corner in right field and the Bullpen Bullies in left are known for harassing visiting teams, especially those in the SEC.
The Bullpen Bullies got their name because they sit in the stands facing the opposing teams bullpen. When a pitcher from the opposing team warms up, words are yelled ranging from their lack of talent to name calling.
Due to the roller coaster season, the usual hecklers have been silenced because of what might be yelled back.
New Orleans native Mike Calongne is one of the claimed originators of the Bullpen Bullies and even purchased a banner he hangs up at every game. Tuesday night’s game against Southern, the banner and Calongne left early.
The absence of chatter is also due to the lack of fans compared to other years. Tuesday night’s game between two local schools found the Box only a third of the way full. By the end of the game, only a handful of faithfuls were in the stands.