BATON ROUGE, La. – Top-ranked LSU (27-5) takes on the University of New Orleans (11-20) at 6:30 p.m. CT Tuesday for Military Appreciation Night at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
The UNO contest begins a five-game week for LSU, which will play host to Northwestern State on Wednesday and to Auburn this weekend.
The Tigers will wear special camouflage caps during Tuesday’s game, and fans will receive an LSU Baseball camouflage T-shirt as they enter the stadium. The evening will also feature pregame and in-game ceremonies to recognize military personnel.
The game will be carried on affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network, including WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge, and live audio and stats may be accessed at www.LSUsports.net.
The LSU-UNO game may be viewed on SEC Network +, accessible at WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app.
LSU is ranked No. 1 in the Perfect Game poll this week, marking the fourth week this season the Tigers are No. 1 in at least one poll. LSU was 4-0 in its games last week, including a three-game sweep SEC sweep at Alabama over the weekend.
The Privateers are coached by Ron Maestri, who returned to the program last season after coaching the Privateers from 1972-85 and enjoying a successful career as athletic director at the school. LSU coach Paul Mainieri played for two seasons at UNO under Maestri’s leadership in 1978 and ’79.
“Aside from my own father, Ron Maestri has made the biggest impact upon me throughout my career,” Mainieri said. “He really has been like a second father to me. Coach Maestri showed me how a high intensity level and a strong work ethic can translate into success. I know he will have his team ready to play against us.”
Junior shortstop Alex Bregman helped lead LSU to four wins in four games last week, as he batted .529 (9-for-17) with three doubles, two triples, one homer, six RBI, seven runs and three steals in three attempts. Bregman also posted a 1.118 slugging percentage and a .609 on-base percentage, and he recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 29 chances, including 19 assists.
Bregman batted .429 (6-for-14) in LSU’s three-game SEC sweep at Alabama with two doubles, one triple, two RBI, five runs and three stolen bases. Bregman also kept alive his current streak of reaching base safely in 29 straight games.
Junior first baseman Chris Chinea hit .444 (8-for-18) in the Alabama series with two doubles, two homers, three RBI and three runs. Chinea, who is riding a 10-game hit streak, has four homers this season, and all four dingers have come in the Tigers’ last six games.
Sophomore leftfielder Jake Fraley delivered a career-high four hits in Saturday’s win at Alabama – his final hit was an RBI single in the top of the 13th inning that added an insurance run in LSU’s 6-4 victory.
UNO is hitting .264 as a team with five homers and 24 steals in 34 attempts. The Privateers are led at the plate by senior infielder Jonathan Coco, who is batting .322 with three doubles and 12 RBI. Junior outfielder Ryan Callaway is batting .314 with one double, one homer and 11 RBI, while sophomore outfielder Hezekiah Randolph is hitting .293 with five doubles, one homer and 14 RBI.
LSU leads the all-time series with New Orleans, 56-34, including two wins over the Privateers last season. LSU defeated UNO, 2-0, in Baton Rouge in the 2014 season opener and then posted a 7-4 win over the Privateers the next day at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La. The teams will meet again this season on May 12 at Maestri Field in New Orleans.
New Orleans Privateers (11-20) at #1 LSU Fighting Tigers (27-5)
DATE/TIME
Tuesday, April 7 – 6:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network +)
STADIUM
Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field (10,326)
RANKINGS
LSU – No. 1 by Perfect Game; No. 3 by Baseball America; No. 3 by USA Today; No. 4 by Collegiate Baseball
UNO – unranked
RADIO
LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates, including WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge
LSUsports.net – live audio and live stats
ONLINE
The game may be viewed on SEC Network +, accessible at WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app
SERIES RECORD
LSU leads the all-time series with New Orleans, 56-34, including two wins over the Privateers last season. LSU defeated UNO, 2-0, in Baton Rouge in the 2014 season opener and then posted a 7-4 win over the Privateers the next day at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La. The teams will meet again this season on May 12 at Maestri Field in New Orleans.
PITCHING MATCHUP
LSU – Sr. LHP Kyle Bouman (0-1, 9.00 ERA, 10.0 IP, 8 BB, 12 SO)
UNO – Jr. RHP Kevin Kelleher (1-3, 3.54 ERA, 20.1 IP, 12 BB, 29 SO)