BATON ROUGE — LSU concludes its five-game homestand Tuesday night when the Tigers play host to New Orleans 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-UNO 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 posted an 0-2-1 mark in last weekend’s three-game SEC series versus 11th-ranked Kentucky. The Tigers apparently had secured on 7-6 win over Kentucky on Saturday on Sean Ochinko‘s two-run walk-off homer, but the blast was subsequently ruled a foul ball. Kentucky then recorded the final two outs of the game to capture a 6-5 win.
On Sunday, LSU and Kentucky battled to a 9-9 tie in a game that was stopped after eight innings due to SEC travel regulations. The tie was the fourth for LSU in SEC play since 1993 ? the others came versus South Carolina in 1993, at Georgia in 1999 and versus Florida in 2003.
“Last weekend was a very difficult series for us for several reasons, some of which were out of our control,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “However, I’m confident our players will rebound and be prepared to play against UNO. We decided to cancel practice (Monday) to give the players a chance to re-focus after a very emotional weekend.”
UNO won two of three games last weekend in a Sun Belt Conference series at Arkansas-Little Rock.
Mainieri said sophomore left-hander Ryan Byrd (2-0, 4.234 ERA) will start Tuesday’s game on the mound for the Tigers. Byrd defeated Southeastern Louisiana on March 21 in his last start, limiting the Lions to one earned run on five hits in five innings with no walks and three strikeouts.
UNO coach Tom Walter will counter with freshman right-hander John Cody (2-1, 1.59 ERA). Cody made his second career start last Tuesday versus Tulane and led the Privateers to a 14-2 win. He gave up just two hits and struck out seven during five innings of work.
LSU second baseman Chris McGhee paced the Tigers’ offense in the series versus Kentucky, batting .462 (6-for-13) in three games with one homer (his first career dinger), two RBI and four runs scored. McGhee, a reserve outfielder last season, has started six games at second base over the past two weeks after starting second baseman Chris Jackson injured his left shoulder.
Ochinko batted .417 (5-for-12) in the Kentucky series with three RBI and two runs scored. As a team, the Tigers hit .298 (31-for-104) in the three games against the Wildcats and recorded double-digit figures in hits in consecutive games (11 hits Saturday, 12 hits on Sunday). LSU has a 7-1-1 mark in games in which it has posted 10 or more hits.
LSU hit one home run in each game of the Kentucky series — the Tigers have homered in six consecutive games and in nine of their last 10 contests.
UNO is led at the plate by infielder Johnny Giavotella, who is hitting .386 (39-for-101) with eight doubles, three triples, eight homers and 34 RBI. Infielder T.J. Baxter is batting .356 (31-for-87) with three doubles, four triples, eight homers and 27 RBI.
The Privateers are hitting .295 as a team with 42 homers and 41 stolen bases.
LSU leads the all-time series with UNO, 47-30, and the Tigers have won 17 of the last 18 meetings with the Privateers. UNO’s only win in that span was a 5-4 victory in 2003 at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La.
GAME FACTS
New Orleans Privateers (16-10) at LSU Fighting Tigers (14-11-1)
DATE/TIME
Tuesday, March 27 ? 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, 47-30
PITCHING MATCHUPS
LSU ? So. LHP Ryan Byrd (2-0, 4.34 ERA, 18.2 IP, 2 BB, 15 SO)
UNO ? Fr. RHP John Cody (2-1, 1.59 ERA, 11.1 IP, 5 BB, 15 SO)