LSU Head Coach Paul Mainieri and Pitching Coach David Grewe are still analyzing video tape of Minnesota, Baylor, and Southern but its likely the Tigers will keep the same rotation as they had in the SEC Tournament. That means Ross will pitch against the Jaguars, Anthony Randaudo will start on Saturday, and Louis Coleman would be the pitcher in game three for the Tigers, which will likely take place on Sunday. Grewe says this will give their three starters at least a week off between starts.
Ross started in the first game of the SEC Tournament for the Tigers and got little offensive support in a 4 to 1 loss to Vanderbilt. Ross allowed four runs in six innings in his seventh loss of the season.
Southern's ace may not be available for the LSU game. Jarrett Maloy threw 142 pitches last Thursday against Grambling State and then threw 6 1/3 innings in the SWAC Tournament Championship game. Maloy is 8-2 with a 3.14 ERA.
Down the Road: I know the LSU coaching staff and players are focusing on this weekend's regional, but as a reporter or fan its hard not to look ahead to a potential Super Regional Series match-up against Rice. While I believe LSU got a favorable regional draw, the selection committee did the Tigers no favors by matching them up against the winner of the Rice Regional. Many would argue the Owls should have received a top national seed.
Rice once again has a top notch pitching staff. The Owls boast a team ERA of 4.18. Their top two starters are a combined 11-0 with ERAs below 1.89. They are also a solid offensive team, .317 team average, 399 runs, and 70 stolen bases.
Kansas State is another possibilty to play LSU in a Super Regional Series. The Wildcats are led by Big 12 Pitcher of the Year A.J. Morris, who is 13-1 with a 1.84 ERA.
Remember Former LSU Tiger J.T. Wise: Wise received Freshman All-American Honors for LSU in 2006 as he hit .299 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs in Smoke Laval's final season. But in Maineri's first year, Wise only hit .234 with 2 homers and 19 RBIs. He then left the LSU program and transferred to Okahoma. Wise struggled last season, but last week he was named Big 12 Player of the Year, as he's hitting .374 with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs.
The Florida native is considered as one of the best catchers in the country, after playing as an infielder at LSU. Okahoma is a #7 national seed, which means the Tigers and Sooners would be on the same side of the bracket if they both reach the College World Series. Just one of many story lines for LSU if they make it back to Omaha.
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