BATON ROUGE — LSU opens a five-game homestand Wednesday night when the Tigers play host to Southeastern Louisiana 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 LSU-SLU 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.
The game will also be televised live by Cox Sports Television (Cable Ch. 37 in Baton Rouge).
“Southeastern has a great record, and they have beaten some very good teams in Tulane and Southern Miss,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “Our focus will be on playing at the highest level possible in order to earn a victory.”
Mainieri said sophomore left-hander Ryan Byrd (1-0, 5.27 ERA) will start Tuesday’s game on the mound for the Tigers.
SLU coach Jay Artigues will counter with junior right-hander P.J. Treadaway (0-1, 14.54 ERA).
LSU split its four games last week as the Tigers have won six of their last nine contests. LSU defeated third-ranked South Carolina, 6-5, on Saturday at Sarge Frye Field. Right-hander Jared Bradford limited South Carolina to three runs in 8.1 innings, and the Tigers withstood a late Gamecock charge to record the victory. The Tigers collected 10 hits, including three for extra bases, and did not commit an error en route to ending the Gamecocks’ six-game win streak.
The Tigers had five true freshmen in their lineup Sunday at South Carolina ? centerfielder Jared Mitchell, leftfielder Blake Dean, catcher Sean Ochinko, designated hitter Ryan Schimpf and pitcher T.J. Forrest.
Schimpf enjoyed an excellent day at the plate on Sunday as he was 3-for-4 with a homer and an RBI. His home run ignited a five-run eighth inning as the Tigers cut a 7-0 deficit to 7-5.
Dean leads the Tigers in hitting with a .303 (23-for-76) average on the year. He also leads the club in doubles (six), triples (two) and RBI (21).
Mitchell is batting .300 with three doubles, one homer, nine RBI and team-highs of 22 runs and 10 steals. Ochinko is the Tigers’ team leader in homers (five), and he is second on the club with 17 RBI.
Southeastern Louisiana is led at the plate by second baseman Richard Imhoff, who is hitting .344 (32-for-93) with six doubles, one triple, three homers and 13 RBI. First baseman Chase Burch is batting .333 (26-for-78) with two doubles, two homers and 19 RBI.
The Lions are hitting .291 as a team with 13 homers, 41 stolen bases and 38 sacrifice bunts.
LSU has won the last 10 meetings between the schools, including two victories over the Lions last season. LSU is 29-2 against SLU since 1990 ? the Lions’ only wins in that span came in 1991 (15-2) and in 2002 (4-3), both in Alex Box Stadium.
GAME FACTS
Southeastern Louisiana Lions (16-6) at LSU Fighting Tigers (13-9)
DATE/TIME
Wednesday, March 21 ? 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
Cox Sports Television (Cable Ch. 37 in Baton Rouge)
SERIES RECORD
LSU leads, 56-16
PITCHING MATCHUPS
LSU ? So. LHP Ryan Byrd (1-0, 5.27 ERA, 13.2 IP, 2 BB, 12 SO)
SLU ? Jr. RHP P.J. Treadaway (0-1, 14.54 ERA, 4.1 IP, 1 BB, 5 SO)