BATON ROUGE — LSU closes out its four-game homestand Tuesday night when the Tigers play host to McNeese State at 6:30 p.m. in Alex Box Stadium.
Tickets are available online at www.LSUsports.net or by contacting the LSU Athletics Ticket Office at 225.578.2184 or 800.960.8587. Tickets may be purchased at the Alex Box Stadium box office beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The game will be broadcast on the affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network (WDGL-FM 98.1 in Baton Rouge). The audio broadcast, streaming video and live stats are available in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net.
LSU (11-7) won three of its four games last week, including a 2-1 series victory over Southern Mississippi, which is ranked No. 26 this week by Collegiate Baseball magazine.
McNeese State (3-16), the 2006 Southland Conference champion, dropped two of three games last weekend versus St. John’s.
“I think we’re improving,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said after the Southern Miss series. “I think we have improved in a lot of ways. We need to continue to work to become more consistent, and we need a strong outing Tuesday night before we begin conference play this weekend.”
LSU plays its first SEC series this weekend at third-ranked South Carolina.
Mainieri said sophomore left-hander Ryan Byrd (1-0, 6.52 ERA) will start Tuesday’s game on the mound for the Tigers.
McNeese State coach Chris Fackler will counter with freshman left-hander Dallas Smith (0-2, 13.50 ERA).
The LSU pitching staff recorded a 2.50 ERA in four games last week, pacing the Tigers to three victories.
Junior left-hander Charlie Furbush led LSU to a 2-1 victory over Southern Miss on Friday, limiting the Golden Eagles to one unearned run on just three hits in eight innings of work. Furbush recorded five strikeouts and he did not walk a batter, as only one Southern Miss runner advanced beyond first base against him.
Furbush improved his record to 3-1 on the year with a 2.61 ERA. In 31 innings, he has recorded 28 strikeouts and 11 walks and opponents are batting .246 against him.
Junior right-hander Jared Bradford improved his record to 3-1 with a win over Southern Miss on Saturday. Bradford, selected as a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week on March 5, limited the Golden Eagles to three earned runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings with three walks and two strikeouts. Bradford has a team-best 2.51 ERA and has recorded five walks and 28 strikeouts in 28.2 innings.
Sophomore right-hander Louis Coleman earned two saves last week in three relief appearances. Coleman fired five shutout innings in three games, allowing just three hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
Junior shortstop Michael Hollander helped lead the Tigers to the series win over Southern Miss, batting .444 (4-for-9) with six RBI and one run. Hollander recorded a career-high five RBI in LSU’s 15-8 win over the Golden Eagles on Saturday
Junior first baseman Jordan Mayer hit .500 (4-for-8) in the USM series with one triple, one homer, two RBI and five runs.
McNeese State is led at the plate by outfielder Charlie Kingrey, who is batting .382 (26-for-68) with three doubles, seven homers and 15 RBI. Catcher Joe Hulett is hitting .317 (19-for-60) with five doubles, one homer and 13 RBI for the Cowboys.
Tuesday’s game marks the first meeting between LSU and McNeese State since 2001, when the Tigers posted a 7-3 victory in Alex Box Stadium. LSU leads the overall series between the clubs, 19-9.
GAME FACTS
McNeese State Cowboys (3-16) at LSU Fighting Tigers (11-7)
DATE/TIME
Tuesday, March 13 ? 6:30 p.m.
STADIUM
Alex Box Stadium (7,760) in Baton Rouge, La.
TICKETS
$8 adults, $5 children ages 3-12 — available at Alex Box Stadium two hours prior to first pitch; tickets may also be purchased and printed at www.LSUsports.net
SPECIAL EVENTS/PROMOTIONS
All kids ages 12 and under may stand on the field with Mike the Tiger during the National Anthem
RADIO
LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates (WDGL-FM 98.1 in Baton Rouge)
INTERNET
Streaming video, audio broadcast and live stats in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net
TV
None
SERIES RECORD
LSU leads, 19-9
PITCHING MATCHUPS
LSU ? So. LHP Ryan Byrd (1-0, 6.52 ERA, 9.2 IP, 2 BB 7 SO)
MSU ? Fr. LHP Dallas Smith (0-2, 13.50 ERA, 8.2 IP, 9 BB, 3 SO)