LSU Gold

Baseball Tigers Returning for Fall Semester

by Bill Franques
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Baseball Tigers Returning for Fall Semester

BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU baseball players that participated in summer collegiate leagues are returning to Baton Rouge, ready to begin fall semester classes on Monday, August 20.

Several Tigers thrived in summer league competition, sharpening their skills for the 2019 season as LSU seeks to advance to the College World Series for the fourth time in seven years. LSU begins its six-week fall practice session on Sunday, September 23. The Tigers open the 2019 season on Friday, February 15, when they play host to UL-Monroe in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.

“We followed our players on a daily basis throughout the summer, and we’re very proud of the way they performed,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “ I spoke to several of the summer coaches and they were extremely complimentary of our players and the way they carried themselves on and off the field. How they play, hustle, follow team rules, and act on the field, as well as how they treat people and act away from the field, is all a reflection of our LSU program. I’m very pleased that our players brought great credit to our program this summer.”

Mainieri coached the USA Collegiate National Team over the summer, and the squad featured three LSU players – junior pitcher Zack Hess, junior outfielder Zach Watson and sophomore outfielder Daniel Cabrera. Team USA posted a 12-3 record during its summer tour with series wins over Cuba, Japan and Chinese Taipei.

Hess was dominant in three starts for the U.S., allowing no runs on three hits in nine innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Cabrera batted .300 in 14 games with one double, a team-high two homers and six RBI, and Watson hit .280 in 14 games with two doubles, one homer, three RBI and a team-best seven runs scored.

Prior to their Team USA appointment, Hess and Watson also played in the Cape Cod League for the Harwich (Mass.) Mariners. Hess fired seven shutout innings over two starts, allowing just one hit with one walk and eight strikeouts. Watson batted .382 in 10 games with one double, one homer, nine RBI and four runs scored.

Senior infielder Brandt Broussard was the second-leading hitter for the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League, batting .317 with five doubles, two homers, 13 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 20 runs scored.

Junior pitcher Matthew Beck was superb on the mound for the Acadiana Cane Cutters of the Texas Collegiate League, recording a 2.27 ERA in seven starts with 47 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.

Sophomore shortstop Hal Hughes batted .281 with two doubles and 15 RBI for the Rockford (Ill.) Rivets of the Northwoods League, and he was joined on the Rivets’ squad by sophomore catcher Brock Mathis, who delivered four doubles, one homer and nine RBI.

Freshman infielder Gavin Dugas enjoyed a spectacular summer for the Danville (Ill.) Dans of the Prospect League, batting .331 with six doubles, two triples, three homers, 23 RBI, 28 stolen bases and 28 runs scored. Freshman infielder Drew Bianco also played for the Dans, producing 11 doubles, three triples, five homers, 24 RBI, 10 steals and 30 runs scored.

Freshman first baseman Cade Beloso delivered impressive numbers, batting .320 for the Lima (Ohio) Locos of the Great Lakes League with 11 doubles, four homers, 30 RBI and 27 runs scored. Sophomore catcher Braden Doughty produced two doubles and eight RBI for the Locos, while sophomore pitcher Trent Vietmeier recorded 17 strikeouts in 11.1 innings for Lima.

Sophomore catcher Saul Garza belted seven doubles and five homers while collecting 25 RBI for the Gaithersburg (Md.) Giants in the Cal Ripken League. Freshman outfielder Giovanni DiGiacomo also played for Gaithersburg, producing two doubles, one triple, five RBI and 14 runs scored.