BATON ROUGE, La. – Second-ranked LSU (26-2) returns to Alex Box Stadium after a four-game road swing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when the Tigers play host to Alcorn State (6-26) in Alex Box Stadium.
The game can be heard on the affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network (98.1 FM in Baton Rouge). Live video, audio and stats of the games may be accessed in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net.
LSU won all four of its games last week – including a three-game SEC sweep at Missouri – to improve to 26-2 overall and 8-1 in conference play. LSU has won eight straight games and is tied with Vanderbilt (8-1) for the overall SEC lead.
LSU is 26-2 for only the second time in school history, matching the 28-game start of the Tigers’ 1986 squad. The Tigers are 8-1 in SEC play for the first time since the 1997 club won eight of its first nine league game.
“We’re moving into the second half of the season now, and it’s our goal to continue to play at a high level,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “We a great first half, winning 26 of our 28 games. Our record in the second half of the season may not 26-2, but it’s our goal to be a better team than we are right now.”
Mainieri said that freshman right-hander Russell Reynolds (1-0, 0.53) ERA will start on the mound Tuesday for LSU versus Alcorn State.
LSU senior first baseman Mason Katz enjoyed another superb week at the plate, batting .611 (11-for-18) in the Tigers’ four wins with one double, one triple, three homers, 12 RBI and five runs scored. Katz hit .571 (8-for-14) in LSU’s three-game sweep at Missouri with one triple, three homers, eight RBI and four runs. Katz is hitting .419 on the year, and he leads the SEC with 13 homers and 49 RBI.
Freshman shortstop Alex Bregman hit .556 (10-for-18) in the Tigers’ four wins last week with one homer, two RBI and seven runs scored. He recorded a .556 on-base percentage and was 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts. In the Tigers’ three-game sweep at Missouri, Bregman hit .429 (6-for-14) with one homer, one RBI and four runs scored. Bregman is hitting a team-high .442 this season with eight doubles, two triples, three homers, 24 RBI, 33 runs and nine stolen bases.
Alcorn State is led at the plate by sophomore Cedric Walker, who is batting .345 with four doubles and 12 runs scored. Junior Angel Rosa is hitting .333 with four doubles, 12 RBI and 14 runs, while junior Josh Powell has one homer and a team-high 19 RBI.
LSU leads Alcorn State, 4-0, in the all-time series between the schools. LSU defeated the Braves twice last season in Alex Box Stadium by scores of 19-0 on February 18 and 7-2 on April 10. The Tigers also defeated Alcorn in 2010 (17-5) and 2011 (7-1) in Alex Box Stadium.
Alcorn State Braves (6-26) at #2 LSU Fighting Tigers (26-2)
DATE/TIME
Tuesday, April 2 – 6:30 p.m. CT
STADIUM
Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
RANKINGS
LSU – No. 2 by USA Today; No. 2 by Collegiate Baseball; No. 3 by Baseball America
ASU – unranked
RADIO
LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates; Baton Rouge affiliate is WDGL 98.1 FM
Pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to first pitch
INTERNET
www.LSUsports.net – live video, audio and stats
TV
None
SERIES RECORD
LSU leads Alcorn State, 4-0, in the all-time series between the schools. LSU defeated the Braves twice last season in Alex Box Stadium by scores of 19-0 on February 18 and 7-2 on April 10. The Tigers also defeated Alcorn in 2010 (17-5) and 2011 (7-1) in Alex Box Stadium.
PITCHING MATCHUP
LSU – Fr. RHP Russell Reynolds (1-0, 0.53 ERA, 17.0 IP, 2 BB, 8 SO)
ASU – TBA
PROMOTIONS
Military Appreciation Night
Servicemen and women will be eligible to purchase discounted tickets by showing I.D. or coming to game in uniform
Giveaway: 1,500 camo hats – Bat Girls will distribute to fans at gates