Following a 12 -5 win over Missouri in game one, LSU Baseball Manger Jay Johnson spoke to the media about the game.

Before taking any questions, Johnson dedicated the win to Sandy Bertman, former LSU Head Manager Skip Bertman’s wife.

At the bottom of the eighth, LSU changed pitchers a couple times. The closer Zac Cowan struck two batters out, and Johnson was impressed with his performance.

“He’s like a caged gorilla down there,” Johnson said in reference to Cowan’s spirit and willingness to pitch.

Another stand out player that Johnson commented on was Derek Curiel. He touched on the trust he has in Curiel.

“I don’t even worry about his mindset,’ Johnson said, ‘things don’t bother him.”

He briefly spoke on how the offense takes what they are given and makes something happen. With that being said, he also pointed out something else.

“Even in the SEC…college baseball is not played perfectly,” Johnson said.

Mistakes are inevitable, but LSU is talented enough that the other side of the ball can pull the weight if need be. This is a big characteristic that last season’s team lacked.

However, Coach Johnson does not like to dwell on previous teams. He emphasized the importance of teams needing time to develop. He said this team has some of the same players as last year, but those guys are not the same. They have a different mindset.

“Somebody hijacked their bodies,” Johnson said.