There's a lot that needs to be sorted out tonight with #3 Arkansas coming to town this weekend. Adjusting to the shuffling caused by Sciambra's injury isn't going to be easy, but it does give some guys on the bench a second chance at a long term role. Among the changes Mainieri has mentioned will be lefty Beau Didier in the DH, and either Foster, Jones, or Katz being moved into center. Joe Broussard will be getting just his second start of the year, but Mainieri plans to use everyone in the pen in short roles to be ready for the Hogs.
The trouble of all this testing out roles and preparing for what is a very important weekend series, is that SLI tends to not be a pushover. LSU dominates the all-time series of course, but the Bulldogs have given us fits lately. Mainieri is just 3-2 all time v SLI, including the shelling we took last year in an 11-5 loss. The Bulldogs are 13-10 on the season coming off a conference series loss to Arkansas State last weekend. Tony Robichaux will be sending his son Austin to the mound tonight for his 4th career start. Their staff ERA is 3.74 with a couple good relief arms. At the plate, watch for Ryan Leonards (356/494/433 11 E) and Dylan Butler (275/538/306 6 HR 29 RBI.) SLI is hitting .279 as a team and is 32/45 SB/attempts.
Get some revenge, break in a new look outfield, and get ready for a big weekend in conference. Not a big to-do list, but it would be nice to enter the weekend on a high note.
It's Breast Cancer Awareness night at The Box, with LSU sporting pink batting helmets and some very special guests
In addition, ceremonial first pitches will be thrown prior to the game by breast cancer survivors Cathy Mainieri Gagnon, sister of LSU coach Paul Mainieri, and Mary Ann Mahtook, mother of former LSU All-American outfielder Mikie Mahtook.
Weather is cloudy, about 75, very little wind. No TV
PITCHING MATCHUP
LSU - So. RHP Joe Broussard (2-0, 5.27 ERA, 13.2 IP, 4 BB, 12 SO)
ULL - Fr. RHP Austin Robichaux (0-2, 3.60 ERA, 15.0 IP, 6 BB, 6 SO)