And The Valley Shook - All PostsLSU Tigers Blog of the Week for 52,136 Weeks in a Row and Countinghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46725/andthevalleyshook_fave.png2024-03-18T14:00:00-05:00http://www.andthevalleyshook.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T14:00:00-05:002024-03-18T14:00:00-05:00LSU Gymnastics earns 1 Seed at SEC Championship
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3DjQmj4_m8QA2o9zrwOSrv9P9d8=/0x448:1536x1472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215907/GI_EDTFagAEbO9s.0.jpeg" />
</figure>
<p>The best home-floor advantage gets better</p> <p id="5VFmtR">For the first time since 2019, LSU will be the top seed at the SEC Gymnastics Championship. The Tigers clinched the top spot on March 9<sup>th</sup> when Florida scored a 197.700 at the Masters Classic hosted by Nebraska. LSU’s 198.425 the night prior created a massive cushion that allowed LSU to rest people on senior night without worrying about anything else. #3 (nationally) LSU will compete in the evening session alongside #4 Florida, #6 Kentucky and #7 Alabama at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The afternoon session will start at 2:30 and feature #12 Arkansas, #13 Missouri, #14 Auburn and #18 Georgia. Both sessions will be broadcast on SEC Network with John Roethlisberger and Sam Peszek on traditional commentary duties and Taylor Davis reporting from the floor.</p>
<p id="xkl1BD">LSU’s last SEC championship came in the Smoothie King Center in 2019 as the finale of a threepeat. Sarah Finnegan clinched the team, floor and all-around titles with a 10.0 on floor on LSU’s penultimate routine. Since Jay Clark became head coach of the Tigers, they’ve finished second, fifth and third at the SEC championships. He is looking to become the first male head coach to win an SEC gymnastics championship. This is the final SEC gymnastic championship under the current two-session format. Next year, the championship will take place across two days and three sessions. The top seed will get a bye to the final session while the other eight teams will battle for the other three spots across two sessions.</p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/18/24105062/lsu-gymnastics-earns-1-seed-at-sec-championshipBenSLA2024-03-18T13:21:24-05:002024-03-18T13:21:24-05:00LSU suffers its first series loss of the after getting run-ruled by Mississippi State
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Gy6eG2QvLS0iHMqTOV1qCf_icHg=/8x0:1162x769/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215821/IMG_3375.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mississippi State outfielder Dakota Jordan celebrates after his two-run single. | Mississippi State Athletics</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Mississippi State scored 15 runs on 15 hits to cap off the embarrassing performance from LSU.</p> <p id="gpBtzT">After LSU’s close victory last night, one would think that the tide shifted toward the direction of the Tigers. However, it wasn’t meant to be.</p>
<p id="XQ95aI">LSU was the victim of a run-rule as Mississippi State put up double-digit runs in its 15-5 win on Sunday. Mississippi State improved to 15-6 overall, 2-1 in the SEC, while LSU dropped to 17-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs have won three out of the last four meetings between these two SEC juggernauts.</p>
<p id="alAGyk">Mississippi State was propelled to victory by outstanding performances from first baseman Hunter Hines and right fielder Dakota Jordan.</p>
<p id="mfzuiL">A huge reason for LSU’s embarrassing loss today was due to its pitching and defensive play. LSU’s pitching staff allowed 15 runs on 15 hits with seven walks and seven strikeouts. Mississippi State also scored four runs off of LSU’s two errors in the field.</p>
<p id="qOyGrG">“It’s my job to separate the results from the play,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “There are elements of it that we want to get batter at, and there are elements where we’re good and can build from.”</p>
<p id="XhulXj">MSU pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (4-0) earned the win and he remains undefeated on the year. Cijntje pitched for five innings and allowed three runs on five hits with five walks and six strikeouts.</p>
<p id="aoBuCK">The Bulldogs struck for three runs in the first inning after a two-run double from centerfielder Connor Hujsak and an RBI double from left fielder Aaron Downs.</p>
<p id="9ndSD1">LSU was able to tie the game at 3-3 in the fifth when shortstop Michael Braswell III lined an RBI double and two bases-loaded walks from catcher Hayden Travinski and right fielder Brady Neal.</p>
<p id="awOsBT">However, Mississippi State responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth as Jordan unloaded a three-run homer and Hines followed with a solo dinger.</p>
<p id="6usK85">LSU would narrow the lead when third baseman Tommy White unloaded a two-run homer – his fifth dinger of the year – in the sixth to narrow the deficit to 7-5.</p>
<p id="K5cBYU">However, Mississippi State scored on a five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth when Jordan and Downs provided RBI singles along with a two-RBI single from third baseman Logan Kohler to highlight the inning.</p>
<p id="wwws6D">The Bulldogs added three runs in the eighth to reach the 10-run margin and end the game. Second baseman Amani Larry’s bases-loaded walk gave MSU the final 15-5 advantage.</p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/18/24104239/lsu-suffers-its-first-series-loss-of-the-after-getting-run-ruled-by-mississippi-stategrantchachere2024-03-18T10:25:32-05:002024-03-18T10:25:32-05:00Men’s Basketball to the NIT
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: SEC Conference Tournament Second Round-Mississippi State vs Louisiana State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jk3_wfOrgg4HHwOTbDRXUBY76_8=/0x0:4662x3108/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215278/usa_today_22772849.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>LSU will host North Texas Tuesday</p> <p id="3cMrxO">Despite losing in its SEC Tournament opener, the LSU men’s basketball team is off to the NIT.</p>
<p id="W8bbbv">LSU will host North Texas, who won last year’s NIT, Tuesday evening in the PMAC at 6:00. The game will be on SEC Network. LSU beat North Texas earlier this season, 66-62 in Charleston. </p>
<p id="Fxt3iK">“We are excited about the opportunity to continue our season in the NIT this week,” Matt McMahon said. “Our players and coaches are looking forward to playing in front of our fans in the PMAC on Tuesday. We have great respect for North Texas and look forward to preparing for our first-round game. We invite all of our LSU fans, students, former players, and community to join us on Tuesday night in creating a home court advantage in Baton Rouge.”</p>
<p id="MtiOH0">LSU’s made the NIT nine times, with the most recent appearance coming in 2018. LSU’s got a 1-3 record in NIT play inside the PMAC.</p>
<p id="o2HJM9">Should LSU beat North Texas, they’ll play the winner of Seton Hall-St. John’s on either March 23 or 24. All NIT games will be on ESPN networks. </p>
<p id="HRPqtd"></p>
<p id="EmNCUR"></p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/18/24104841/mens-basketball-to-the-nitZach Junda2024-03-18T07:56:32-05:002024-03-18T07:56:32-05:00LSU Earns Three-Seed For NCAA Tournament
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Greenville News" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Eykw49-ZO_HU58pUQmIlDO4ZceI=/0x83:3168x2195/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214874/usa_today_22747671.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Let’s dance</p> <p id="ApYmdB">The real season is about to begin.</p>
<p id="k1aSVu">Selection Sunday was last night and the defending champion LSU Tigers know their path to hopefully cutting down the nets in Cleveland. The bracket was released in its entirety and the Tigers will be the No. 3 seed in the Albany Regional 2. Because LSU is a top-four seed, the PMAC will be a host site for the first two rounds. </p>
<p id="WEftBQ">LSU’s first matchup will be against the 14th seeded Rice Owls on Friday at 3:00 P.M. That game will be on ESPN. Assuming LSU wins, they’ll play either the 11 seed Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders or...Hailey Van Lith’s old team, the 6th seeded Louisville Cardinals.</p>
<p id="ZmW25m">The NCAA Tournament may be a competition, but it’s also a television product and the selection committee knew <em>exactly </em>what they were doing when filling out this bracket. The 1-seed in LSU’s region? Why it’s the Iowa Hawkeyes, whom LSU beat last year in the national championship game. So if LSU wants to get to Cleveland, they’ll likely have to go up against Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Elite 8.</p>
<p id="MzSYSt">South Carolina is, unsurprisingly, the No. 1 overall seed for the tournament. Carolina, Iowa, USC, and Texas are the one-seeds.</p>
<p id="fsiwOg"></p>
<p id="gMw9mn"> </p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/18/24104701/lsu-earns-three-seed-for-ncaa-tournamentZach Junda2024-03-17T16:11:03-05:002024-03-17T16:11:03-05:004-Star OL Tyler Miller commits to LSU
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zw7gaRiBPrjGbFRNJwYEP4gvi4k=/0x276:941x903/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213682/IMG_3371.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Hayes Fawcett/On3</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>LSU lands the No.1 overall interior interior offensive lineman in the country.</p> <p id="Fepv2s">There are two things can be said about LSU’s 2025 recruiting class: it is the No. 1 recruiting class in the country and offensive line coach Brad Davis is a masterful recruiter. </p>
<p id="AxA5xH">With that being said, four-star offensive lineman Tyler Miller announced on Sunday that he was committing to LSU. Miller is the No. 3 IOL in the country and the 72nd overall prospect in the country according to On3’s composite rankings. However, he is the No. 1 IOL and No. 32 prospect in the country in On3’s own rankings. </p>
<div id="gn6DYv">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Elite 2025 IOL Tyler Miller has Committed to LSU, he tells me for <a href="https://twitter.com/On3Recruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@on3recruits</a><br><br>The 6’6 318 IOL from Laurel, MS chose the Tigers over Ole Miss & Mississippi State<br><br>Miller is ranked as the No. 1 IOL in ‘25 (per On3) <br><br>“Tigers on top! ”<a href="https://t.co/tYJYfhwXzh">https://t.co/tYJYfhwXzh</a> <a href="https://t.co/s8c2sfFRJv">pic.twitter.com/s8c2sfFRJv</a></p>— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hayesfawcett3/status/1769396732461515086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="N3iPZ6">The 6-foot-7, 330 pound Miller committed to LSU over many schools that included SEC foes Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Tennessee.</p>
<div id="ERAxds"><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16240258/64f7666f96811b0fec88af5f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p id="BUDZq8"></p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/17/24103943/4-star-ol-tyler-miller-commits-to-lsugrantchachere2024-03-16T11:31:51-05:002024-03-16T11:31:51-05:00LSU loses 10-4 in SEC opener against Mississippi State
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ya9zQiI1w4Ja3tMplG3UYLlxJWU=/1x0:796x530/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211791/IMG_3350.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>LSU catcher Brady Neal during LSU’s game against Mississippi State on Friday, March 15, 2023. | LSU Athletics</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>LSU struggled behind the plate once again as LSU only hit the ball six times compared to Mississippi State’s 16.</p> <p id="49Ig5g">Mississippi State was too much to handle for No.2 LSU as the Bulldogs won 10-4 to take th first game of the series at Dudy-Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi.</p>
<p id="1QLlGi">LSU drops to 16-3 overall and 0-1 in SEC play. Mississippi State improved to 14-5 and a 1-0 start going into to conference play.</p>
<p id="uGHL5w">Two key players in Mississippi State’s upset victory over LSU were first baseman Hunter Hines and reliever Nolan Stevens. </p>
<p id="klCLfQ">Hines went 2-for-5 from the plate with two home runs and four RBIs. </p>
<p id="eqNedc">Stevens (2-0) was rewarded with win after he limited the Tigers to one run on one hit in 5.2 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.</p>
<p id="KoWyHR">LSU starting pitcher Luke Holman (4-1), who has been a machine all season, finally looked human. Holman was charged with the loss after he allowed five runs – two earned – on 10 hits in 4.2 innings with one walk and three strikeouts.</p>
<p id="i16ZD3">“We can take some things from this game that will make us a better team,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “We’ll address those when we get back to the hotel and get ready for Saturday. Credit to Mississippi State, they put together good at-bats and they played well tonight.”</p>
<p id="JpBYYC">The Bulldogs drew first blood when designated hitter Amani Larry lined an RBI single off of Holaman to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead .</p>
<p id="QsHw8O">LSU struck for three runs in the third against MSU starter Evan Siary as rightfielder Josh Peason launched a solo homer. Pearson’s homer was followed by a single from left fielder Mac Bingham and a two-run dinger from third baseman Tommy White.</p>
<p id="K6TFC9"> Mississippi State narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the third when leftfielder Aaron Downs delivered a run-scoring single.</p>
<p id="c3M2kt">The Bulldogs took a 5-3 lead in the fifth that was after a solo home run from Hines and two RBI singles from third baseman Logan Kohler and catcher Johnny Long. </p>
<p id="GJqJ1y">MSU added a run in the sixth on an RBI single by centerfielder Connor Hujsak, and the Bulldogs scored four runs in the eighth as Hines punctuated the inning with a three-run homer. Kohler added another RBI single to his column in the eighth inning as well.</p>
<p id="WaKybW"> Pearson’s RBI groundout in the top of the ninth accounted for the final margin.</p>
<p id="9IWdzx"> </p>
<p id="t2SeMk"></p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/16/24101743/lsu-loses-10-4-in-sec-opener-against-mississippi-stategrantchachere2024-03-15T15:40:40-05:002024-03-15T15:40:40-05:00LSU vs North Carolina Meet Preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1nk4nM2nzswjr8zpVUjhpIwBAlA=/0x227:1536x1251/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73210538/GIp0HkJakAEAssq.0.jpeg" />
</figure>
<p>One more time, we’re gonna celebrate.</p> <p id="tAl0uZ">Wait, it’s already over?</p>
<p id="0ronI9">Yes, it may feel like the season just started, but tonight marks the end of the regular season for LSU gymnastics. #2 LSU is coming off a first-place finish at the Purple and Gold Podium Challenge with a 198.425, second-best in school history and best outside the PMAC. Tonight, they celebrate a massive group of 11 seniors against #46 North Carolina. The meet is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on SECN+, the streaming arm of the SEC Network that comes free with your SEC Network subscription, with Lyn Rollins and Kaleigh Dickson Abboud. For those going to the meet, doors open at 6:00 p.m., intros start at 7:19 p.m. and first vault is scheduled for 7:32 p.m. Stick around when the meet officially ends for a special presentation honoring the seniors.</p>
<p id="927t2K"><strong>Match-up history for LSU and UNC</strong></p>
<p id="p18Xxk">LSU is 5-0 all-time against UNC, 3-0 all-time in the regular season and 1-0 at home. The last time the two teams met was that only meet in the PMAC, a tri meet that also included UIC on 2/20/2009. LSU beat UNC 197.400-194.775. This will be the first time the two teams have met in a dual meet.</p>
<p id="Vbr0wU"><strong>About #46 North Carolina</strong></p>
<p id="wvcRak">Last season, UNC finished 36<sup>th</sup> in the country and 3<sup>rd</sup> at EAGLs. This year has been a season of transition as the Tar Heels moved to the ACC to be with their other sports. The ACC had a championship in 1984 before going on a long hiatus of sponsoring the sport.</p>
<p id="Gc8S3D">UNC’s a team with a bunch of talent, but only three have scored at least 9.900 on multiple events.. Lali Dekanoidze is a junior vault and bars specialist who had three 9.975s on bars last season and holds a season high of 9.950 on bars and 9.925 on vault. The other two are from Louisiana. Kaya Forbes is a sophomore from Gonzales who’s been a staple of their vault and floor lineups and has a 9.900 on each. Their star all-arounder is junior Julia Knower (I’ll get ahead of the joke now: yes I know her, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bslU18Fn2zoDjZmGtwspN?si=N9ovYmcVRZqr7DshX6t85w">check out the interview I did with her here</a>) from Mandeville, a club teammate of Sierra Ballard. She is currently fighting for one of the individual regionals spots in the all-around or on floor. Her season high on floor is a team-high 9.925, her vault high is a 9.900 and her all-around high is a 39.425.</p>
<p id="qSUrPa">UNC is 5-11 on the season and finished ACC play 1-5. They’re coming off a 197.800-196.525 loss at home against Kentucky. They rank 42<sup>nd</sup> on vault [48.990], 36<sup>th</sup> on bars [49.045], tied for 45<sup>th</sup> with West Virginia on beam [48.805] and 57<sup>th</sup> on floor [49.040]. Their regionals bubble can burst tonight if they don’t get at least a 197.575, .225 higher than the school’s all-time record. They had made regionals the past couple of years, but this season was pretty bad.</p>
<p id="QV3vz9">The Tar Heels are led by third-year head coach Danna Durante. Yes, that’s the former Georgia coach, and that means this meet features the last two Georgia head coaches to beat LSU. She is assisted by assistant coach Marie Denick, in her seventh year, assistant coach Mackenzie Caquatto-Jaworski, in her first year and the same Mackenzie Caquatto from Florida, and assistant coach Sami Durante, in her first year as an assistant after spending the past six years at LSU as either a gymnast or student assistant coach.</p>
<p id="fPMPJq"><strong>About #2 LSU</strong></p>
<p id="fhKKzt">LSU is ranked 2<sup>nd</sup> on vault [49.420], tied for 3<sup>rd</sup> with Alabama on bars [49.530], 5<sup>th</sup> on beam [49.470] and 1<sup>st</sup> on floor [49.695]. A 49.750 on floor will give LSU the first ever 49.700 NQS on floor by an NCAA team.</p>
<p id="WGQhWt">Tonight’s meet will have exhibitions since it’s streaming on SECN+, and there’s a good chance some of the seniors get the chance to showcase routines they may not have competed before there. Head coach Jay Clark said that it’s important they maintain their momentum, so I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect massive changes to lineups just for senior night. Let’s get the NQS chatter out of the way since there isn’t much there. </p>
<p id="pUMVbV"><strong>NQS-capades</strong></p>
<p id="ZBwi4m">LSU can’t move their NQS much. They’re currently sitting with a 198.125, and this is a home meet. The Tigers are looking to drop a 198.300, but their season high is a 198.475. Every improvement of .025 of a score counted in a team’s NQS increases the team’s NQS by .005. Here is every possible increase in the NQS.</p>
<p id="pZVIHb">198.325: 198.130</p>
<p id="J60oiO">198.350: 198.135</p>
<p id="u2AGuY">198.375: 198.140</p>
<p id="5pHGPo">198.400: 198.145</p>
<p id="23auky">198.425: 198.150</p>
<p id="rgUcMI">198.450: 198.155</p>
<p id="fpeTPz">198.475 or greater: 198.160</p>
<p id="kU6q2x">The senior night celebration is going to be longer than usual this year, but I highly recommend you stick around for it. It may be the last chance to see some of these incredible people on the PMAC floor. Savannah Schoenherr and Cammy Hall will be making their final appearances in the PMAC as gymnasts, and it’s incredible to see the impact they’ve had in their short time here. Jillian Hoffman had better come back next year because I will be very sad if she never gets a shot to do something as a Tiger. Kai Rivers’ career came to a heartbreaking end when she thought she’d get one more shot, but her spirit will get to beam in her new home one last time. Alyona Shchennikova will take to the floor one last time…maybe. If you don’t love her after watching “The Climb” season one, you need to rewatch it. Kiya Johnson will compete for perhaps the final time, she does have a redshirt season if she wants it, and might close out an era in LSU’s history that predates the NCAA championship. The fourth-year senior class of Elena Arenas, Sierra Ballard, Chase Brock, Haleigh Bryant and Olivia Dunne have the option to come back, though Elena’s confirmed she’s done, but if this is the end, it’s been one of the most incredible rides in program history. They’ve seen every crazy thing possible, made history for themselves and for this program, and created some of the best emotional memories I have. These 11 make up a group that will go down as one of the best, most clutch, most fun, most well-beloved groups in this program’s history. Thankfully, they’ll get a packed crowd to see them out unlike the seniors from their freshman year (excluding the fact most of them came back for a fifth year).</p>
<p id="IxMewr">This season has flown by quickly, and it’s been really fun. It’s time see one more lights-out performance before dimming the lights on the regular season.</p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/15/24102355/lsu-vs-north-carolina-meet-previewBenSLA2024-03-15T14:43:57-05:002024-03-15T14:43:57-05:00Tigers Take Starkvegas: Mississippi State Preview
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Clarion-Ledger" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_xZPTupw7VzF0od5mTQkbz9Es1M=/2x0:1999x1331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73210404/usa_today_22703452.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mississippi State Bulldogs’ players run back onto the field to celebrate after winning the game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024. Mississippi State won 5 to 4. | Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>LSU opens up SEC play with one of the most prominent teams out of the SEC.</p> <h3 id="QHq318"><strong>No. 2 LSU Tigers (16-2) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (13-5)</strong></h3>
<p id="h3wyTy"> <strong>DATES/TIMES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="ihhGod">Friday, March 15 @ 6 p.m. CT (SEC Network +)</li>
<li id="ngqLZ5">Saturday, March 16 @ 4 p.m. CT (SEC Network)</li>
<li id="VZqHMq">Sunday, March 17 @ 1 p.m. CT (SEC Network +)</li>
</ul>
<p id="UdLQDg"><strong>STADIUM</strong></p>
<ul><li id="Kdz1WX">Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium (7,200)</li></ul>
<p id="4eOqI5"><strong>RANKINGS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="VhtXlN">LSU – No. 2 Baseball America; No. 2 USA Today; No. 2 D1 Baseball</li>
<li id="m5bpT4">MSU – unranked</li>
</ul>
<p id="QJr6kT"><strong>RADIO</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="DABEn5">LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates</li>
<li id="5lskpi">Live audio at <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lsusports.net%2Flive&data=04%7C01%7Cwfranqu%40lsu.edu%7Cb6704ec238094bd6ee2108da08562ce0%7C2d4dad3f50ae47d983a09ae2b1f466f8%7C0%7C0%7C637831463456758577%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=eNzW63ZT4kCx2r9B43pdj1Y7oqle12v8AxchP5GzB2Q%3D&reserved=0">www.LSUsports.net/live</a>; Live stats at <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lsustats.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cwfranqu%40lsu.edu%7Cb6704ec238094bd6ee2108da08562ce0%7C2d4dad3f50ae47d983a09ae2b1f466f8%7C0%7C0%7C637831463456758577%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=pYFdYfUTXFMsNZv8bWDPu4C0rJbeZy3sYAVwsVG97Wo%3D&reserved=0">www.LSUstats.com</a> </li>
</ul>
<p id="Mm2YDR"><strong>TV/ONLINE</strong></p>
<ul><li id="oHU9za">The games on Friday and Sunday will be streamed on SEC Network +; Saturday’s game will be televised on the SEC Network</li></ul>
<p id="2DpNu5"> <strong>PITCHING MATCHUPS</strong></p>
<p id="GYqeym"><strong>Game 1</strong></p>
<p id="bcRt8B">LSU – Jr. RH Luke Holman (4-0, 0.00 ERA, 24.0 IP, 4 BB, 40 SO)</p>
<p id="UgQk3X">MSU - So. RH Evan Siary (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 0 BB, 7 SO)</p>
<p id="zbz4c8"><strong>Game 2</strong></p>
<p id="XmroAv">LSU – So. LH Gage Jump (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 13.1 IP, 2 BB, 21 SO</p>
<p id="i5XgJH">MSU - Jr. RH Khal Stephen (2-1, 3.38 ERA, 21.1 IP, 4 BB, 26 SO)</p>
<p id="RbhZMM"><strong>Game 3</strong></p>
<p id="FYIyxY">LSU – Jr. RH Thatcher Hurd (1-1, 4.76 ERA, 17.0 IP, 7 BB, 26 SO)</p>
<p id="5C08kp">MSU - So. BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (3-0, 2.08 ERA, 21.2 IP, 11 BB, 35 SO)</p>
<p id="HkMClp">_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________</p>
<p id="eppHfa">LSU will hit the road for its first SEC weekend series of the year against longtime SEC foe Mississippi State.</p>
<p id="1pz4en">LSU and Mississippi State are often considered to be the cornerstone programs of SEC baseball as both schools brought prominence to SEC baseball in the 1980s due to their legendary head coaches: LSU’s Skip Bertman and Mississippi STate’s Ron Polk, who is often dubbed the “godfather of SEC baseball”. </p>
<p id="Ut0hjn">LSU has made it to the College World Series 19 times while Mississippi State punched its ticket to Omaha 12 times. In their most recent trips to Omaha, the Tigers and the Bulldogs both won the national championship. LSU defeated Florida in three games in 2023 to win its seventh national title while Mississippi State defeated Vanderbilt in three games in 2021 to win its first-ever national title in school history regardless of sport. </p>
<p id="P98lQS">Mississippi State leads the overall series with LSU, 210-195-1, but LSU has won 13 of the past 16 SEC regular season series with the Bulldogs. LSU has also won four of the past six series. However, Mississippi State won two of three games over the Tigers last season (May 11-13) in Baton Rouge in one of the biggest upsets of the college baseball season. The Bulldogs’ other series victory over LSU over the past 16 full seasons came in 2021, a 2-1 series victory in Baton Rouge.</p>
<p id="v7RqyI">Despite winning 10 of its 11 games, Mississippi State struggled early on with consistency. If the Bulldogs don’t turn it around soon with a grueling SEC schedule in the next two months, head coach Chris Lemonis could be out of a job after missing postseason play the two previous seasons after leading Mississippi State to its first-ever national championship in 2021.</p>
<p id="Uh5pP1">A series win for Mississippi State can set the tone for the Bulldogs. However, LSU has the hot hand and will be the favorites to win the series after it was announced that Mississippi State ace pitcher Nate Dohm will be out for Friday night.</p>
<h2 id="Aj7Dp3"><strong>Pitching Rotation</strong></h2>
<p id="0pXbxN">After being one of the worst pitching teams in the country a year ago, Mississippi State is one of the nation’s best as they are fifth in the country in strikeout-to-walk ratio, 11th in strikeouts per nine innings and have a 3.47 ERA, which is best for 15th nationally.</p>
<p id="lfEjee">However, the Bulldogs are in the danger zone due to Dohm’s injury. He had a 4-0 record with a 1.50 ERA and 32 strikeouts through 24.0 innings pitched.</p>
<p id="3ybYpP">The pitcher replacing Dohm is right-hander Evan Siary (0-1) who has been used as a reliever for most of this season. You should expect to see Mississippi State use a lot of relievers for game one of the series not only because of not having a true starting pitcher on Friday but also because Siary has allowed seven hits through six innings pitched and has a batting average allowed of .280.</p>
<p id="LLyNg2">Right-hander Khal Stephen (2-1) will get the start on Saturday. Stephen has a 3.38 ERA with four walks and 26 strikeouts through 21.1 innings. He also has a .208 batting average against opposing batters.</p>
<p id="neeNpi">The toughest pitcher LSU will face is Mississippi State’s day three starter, Jurrangelo Cijntje (3-0). Cijntje might be the most talented arm on the Bulldogs’ pitching staff as he is a switch pitcher, something that is extremely rare. He has a 2.08 ERA, 11 BB, and a team-high 35 strikeouts on the year. It is usually a bad day to be an opposing batter when Cijntje is on the mound as opposing batters have a .139 batting average against him.</p>
<p id="bqBiiM">Look for Brooks Auger, Tyler Davis and Cam Scheulke to come out of the bullpen as they all have at least seven appearances this season.</p>
<h2 id="xl6hTg"><strong>Position Players</strong></h2>
<p id="Uk43yZ">Mississippi State has struggled with consistency behind the plate as the Bulldogs are 10th in the SEC in batting average. It doesn’t have a lot of great bats but they have five relatively reliable ones.</p>
<p id="ks9z4N">MSU outfielder Dakota Jordan is batting .415 this season with seven doubles, nine homers and 28 RBI which all are team-highs. He is second in the SEC in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage (.938).</p>
<p id="NqQU8Y">Another player to watch is All-SEC performer Hunter Hines. Hines is batting .276 with two doubles, a home run and 16 RBIs.</p>
<p id="bLj30h">Centerfielder Connor Hujsak is batting .327 with five doubles, a triple, a home run and 13 RBIs.</p>
<p id="l1EyfZ">Second baseman David Mershon is batting .404 on the year with six doubles, two triples and 14 RBIs.</p>
<p id="eeueTR">Designated hitter/infielder Amani Larry is batting .309 on the year with six doubles and two homers.</p>
<p id="dzEH5M"></p>
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2024/3/15/24101381/tigers-take-starkvegas-mississippi-state-previewgrantchachere