BATON ROUGE — Fourth-ranked LSU (20-3) opens a five-game homestand at 6:30 p.m. CT Wednesday as the Tigers play host to the Binghamton Bearcats (6-10) in Alex Box Stadium.
The game will be carried by the affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network. Live video, audio and stats may be accessed in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net.
LSU is ranked No. 4 this week in the Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA and USA Today/ESPN polls, and No. 5 in the Baseball America poll released Monday. The Tigers have appeared in the Top 10 of at least one college baseball poll for 30 consecutive weeks, a streak that began on May 19, 2008.
The Tigers posted four wins in four games last week, including an three-game SEC series sweep at Tennessee. LSU has now won 15 of its last 16 SEC regular-season series, dating back to April 2008. The Tigers have also won eight straight SEC road series since May 2008
LSU coach Paul Mainieri said freshman right-hander Michael Reed (0-0, 7.20 ERA) will start Wednesday ‘s game on the mound for the Tigers. Reed had a solid outing in his last start on March 24 versus UL-Lafayette, allowing two runs on four hits in three innings with one walk and four strikeouts.
Binghamton coach Tim Sinicki will counter with sophomore right-hander Aaron Schuldt (0-2, 4.50 ERA).
Binghamton University, located in Binghamton, N.Y., has won the America East Conference championship in each of the last three seasons, and the Bearcats participated in the 2009 NCAA Regional in Greensboro, N.C.
“Most people here probably don’t know a whole lot about Binghamton,” Mainieri said, “but they have an outstanding program. They beat Tennessee earlier this year, and they just won two-out-of-three against Centenary last weekend. Their players know how to win, so we have to make sure we’re ready on Wednesday night.”
LSU second baseman Tyler Hanover led the Tigers to four consecutive wins last week, batting .533 (8-for-15) with three doubles, seven RBI, three runs, two steals and a .632 on-base percentage. In LSU’s three-game sweep at Tennessee, Hanover hit .545 (6-for-11) with one double, six RBI, three runs, two steals and a .667 on-base percentage. He was 3-for-4 at the plate in the Tigers’ Game 1 victory on Friday night with a double and a career-high four RBI.
Hanover is the Tigers’ leading hitter in SEC play, batting .524 (11-for-21) in six games with two doubles, one triple, seven RBI, six runs and a .655 on-base percentage.
Sophomore shortstop Austin Nola enjoyed a productive weekend at Tennessee, batting .500 (5-for-10) with one double, four RBI, five runs and a .615 on-base percentage. Sophomore rightfielder Mikie Mahtook hit .455 (5-for-11) against the Volunteers with two doubles, one RBI, four runs, one steal and a .538 on-base percentage.
Sophomore right-hander Matty Ott earned his ninth save of the season in Game 2 Saturday at Tennessee, increasing his career total to 25. Ott is in second place on the all-time LSU saves list, trailing only Rick Greene, who had 29 saves for the Tigers from 1990-92. Ott pitched in all four of LSU’s games last weeks, recording two saves while working 3.2 innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
Binghamton is led at the plate by sophomore first baseman Dave Ciocchi, who is hitting .388 with three doubles, two triples, two homers and 16 RBI. Junior outfielder Peter Bregartner is batting .326 with four doubles, one triple, two homers and 12 RBI, while junior outfielder Corey Taylor has a team-best four homers to go along with 15 RBI.
Binghamton enters Wednesday’s game with a .302 team batting average, 11 homers and 22 stolen bases. LSU is hitting .318 as a team with 26 homers and 44 stolen bases.
Binghamton Bearcats (6-10) at # 4 LSU Fighting Tigers (20-3)
DATE/TIME
Wednesday, March 31 – 6:30 p.m. CT
STADIUM
Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. (10,150)
RANKINGS
LSU – No. 4 by Collegiate Baseball; No. 4 by USA Today/ESPN; No. 4 by NCBWA; No. 5 by Baseball America
BU – unranked
RADIO
LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates/Baton Rouge affiliate is WDGL 98.1 FM
INTERNET
www.LSUsports.net – live video, audio and stats
TV
None
SERIES RECORD
First meeting
PITCHING MATCHUP
LSU – Fr. RHP Michael Reed (0-0, 7.20 ERA, 15.0 IP, 9 BB, 12 SO)
BU – So. RHP Aaron Schuldt (0-2, 4.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 3 BB, 5 SO)