The scent of freshly cut grass and polished gloves surrounded Alex Box Stadium Saturday signaling the start of the 2005 baseball season.
This past weekend the baseball team kicked off the year with its annual alumni game.
The game invited back former players including Mike Fontenot, Brad Cresse and Aaron Hill to campus.
Despite their major league efforts, the past Tigers could not stop the current team. The present players collected 18 hits in their 11-4 victory over the alumni.
The season opener does not affect the overall record throughout the season. Regardless of the fact, coach Smoke Laval said he was pleased with the team’s performance.
“I like us again offensively,” Laval said. “We took some good swings, and we took some good passes at the baseball.”
This weekend the Tigers will face their first actual opponent when they host Nicholls State in a three-game series. Several seniors begin their last season as a Tiger. For left fielder Ryan Patterson that fact is overwhelming.
“It’s unbelievable; I’m graduating from college and playing in the biggest year of my career,” Patterson said. “We’ve been to Omaha twice — haven’t gotten really anything done since we’ve been there. So, this is my last go around. I’m pretty excited.”
Another senior also is feeling the excitement. Left-hander Lane Mestepey earned the start for tonight’s game — his first start on opening night as a Tiger.
“I think it’s going to be very exciting,” Mestepey said. “I’ve never taken the ball on opening night before, but it shouldn’t be anything different. It’s just a regular baseball game. We’ve got to go out there, and we’ve just got to beat Nicholls.”
Mestepey is backed up by four returning starters on the field. The infield will be led by brothers Clay and Will Harris. Senior Clay will shift to second base and Will at first.
The rest of the infield consists of new faces. Junior Bryan Harris will start at third base and senior Derek Hebert at shortstop. The only true freshman finding playing time this weekend will be shortstop Michael Hollander — who will rotate with Hebert due to Blake Gill’s arm injury.
Also battling for the starting position are catchers Matt Liuzza and Dustin Weaver. Both are expected to see action this weekend.
Patterson will lead the outfield in left field as the only returning starter. Joining him is junior center fielder Bruce Sprowl and senior right fielder Nick Stavinoha.
Tonight’s game begins at 6:30 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium and marks the 60th meeting between the two teams. LSU is 38-21 against the Colonels, winning the last nine meetings.
Saturday’s game will begin at 2 p.m. and the Tigers will finish up the series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
“We’re excited to get the season underway,” Mestepey said. “I think all of our guys are kind of tired of facing the same pitchers over and over again, and the pitchers are tired of facing the same batters over and over again. It will be nice for us to start to face a new team in Nicholls State. We’re looking forward to it.”