BATON ROUGE — No. 15 LSU (19-7) faces the University of New Orleans Tuesday at UNO’s Maestri Field in a rare weekday afternoon contest. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.
The game was originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m., but damage to the Maestri Field lights caused by Hurricane Katrina prompted the change to an afternoon start.
Tuesday’s game will be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network (WNXX/KNXX 104.5/104.9 FM in Baton Rouge).
The audio broadcast and live stats are available in the Geaux Zone powered by USAgencies at www.LSUsports.net.
LSU coach Smoke Laval said sophomore right-hander Michael Bonura (1-0) is scheduled to start on the mound against UNO. Bonura, who missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his elbow, will make his second start this season.
“We need to take a look at Michael and some other pitchers who need innings,” Laval said. “It’s important to have them prepared to pitch this weekend (versus fifth-ranked South Carolina). This game will be a real challenge because UNO can swing the bats.”
UNO enters Tuesday’s contest with a robust .325 team batting average as seven Privateers are hitting .347 or better.
Freshman second baseman Johnny Giavotella is hitting a sizzling .473 (44-for-93) with seven doubles, five triples, one homer and 19 RBI. Outfielder Brandon Bowser is batting .389 (42-for-108) with nine doubles, one triple and 21 RBI.
Bonura’s first start of the year came last Wednesday versus Southeastern Louisiana, as he pitched two innings and was not involved in the decision of the Tigers’ 5-4 win. Bonura allowed two earned runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
UNO coach Tom Walter is scheduled to counter Tuesday with junior left-hander Matt McKissick (0-0), a transfer from Itawamba (Miss.) Community College. McKissick, who has worked 13.2 relief innings in nine appearances, will make his first start of the season against LSU.
LSU handed Mississippi State its first loss of the season Saturday as the Tigers overcame a 6-3 deficit with a five-run eighth inning to post an 8-6 victory. The Tigers narrowly missed recording a series victory over the top-ranked Bulldogs as MSU edged LSU 7-6 in 10 innings in the series finale on Sunday.
Saturday’s LSU win marked the second time in four games the Tigers posted a dramatic victory in their final at-bat — the Tigers scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning on March 19 to erase a 2-1 deficit and defeat Kentucky, 5-2.
LSU enters this week’s play ranked No. 2 in the SEC in hitting with a .317 team batting average. The Tigers lead the league in base hits (274), triples (12) and sacrifice bunts (26).
LSU right fielder Quinn Stewart batted .412 (7-for-17) in four games last week with two doubles, two homers, four runs and three RBI. Stewart’s two-run homer ignited the five-run LSU eighth inning on Saturday when the Tigers overcame a three-run deficit to defeat Mississippi State Stewart has 10 homers on the season, and he has homered nine times in his last 14 games.
On the year, Stewart is batting a team-high .367 (36-for-98) with seven doubles, two triples, 10 homers and 32 RBI.
Along with Bonura, other LSU pitchers expected to action Tuesday at UNO include junior right-hander Edgar Ramirez and freshman right-hander Darryl Shaffer. Ramirez earned his first career LSU victory last Wednesday versus Southeastern Louisiana, hurling four innings of scoreless relief. Ramirez, who transferred to LSU prior to last season from Florida International, limited SLU to just one hit while recording two walks and four strikeouts in the Tigers’ 5-4 win.
Shaffer picked up a save and a win in two appearances last week, working a total of 3.2 scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and recorded one walk and three strikeouts in earning a save against Southeastern Louisiana and a win against Mississippi State.
LSU leads the all-time series with UNO, 45-30, and the Tigers have won 15 of the last 16 meetings with the Privateers. UNO’s only win in that span was a 5-4 victory in 2003 at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La.
Laval has a 7-1 career mark against UNO during his five seasons as LSU’s coach.
GAME FACTS
#15 LSU Fighting Tigers (19-7) at New Orleans Privateers (15-11)
DATE/TIME
Tuesday, March 28 — 2:30 p.m. CST
STADIUM
Maestri Field (4,200) in New Orleans, La.
RANKINGS
LSU (# 15 Collegiate Baseball, # 16 USA Today/ESPN, # 16 Baseball America)
New Orleans (unranked)
RADIO
LSU Sports Radio Network (WNXX/KNXX 104.5/104.9 FM in Baton Rouge)
INTERNET
Audio broadcast and live stats in the Geaux Zone powered by USAgencies at www.LSUsports.net
TV
None
SERIES RECORD
LSU leads, 45-30 (first meeting in 1976)
PITCHING MATCHUP
LSU — So. RHP Michael Bonura (1-0, 4.50 ERA, 12.0 IP, 6 BB, 11 SO)
UNO — Jr. LHP Matt McKissick (0-0, 5.27 ERA, 13.2 IP, 4 BB, 15 SO)