GAMETHREAD: LSU vs. La Tech, 6:30pm, SECN+

In Monday's media session, pitching coach Alan Dunn and Coach Mainieri were pretty adamant about the major question around LSU baseball right now. "Absolutely not. Zero. Zero. Zero concern.” is how much they are worried about the struggles staff ace Alex Lange has found himself in the last two games. Dunn would go on to specify that he thinks Lange is rushing a bit when he gets behind in a count, while Mainieri reiterated that nobody's perfect and Lange is still a young kid learning. Personally, I don't think it's time for anyone to panic...yet. It's important to remember that Lange's record at LSU is still spotless. There's still another weekend left for Lange to get back in a rhythm before SEC play starts. (Maybe he just needs to get back on Friday night? Could it be that easy?) As for the injury list, Bryce Jordan has his foot in a bootafter running into photographers on Saturday, and while nothing is broken, he's being held out of the midweek games and will be reevaluated later. That'll give Deichmann another shot at the 1B job as he tries to find a spot while the lineup is solidifying around him. Also, Russell Reynolds is out until Friday with a sore shoulder.

LSU's got bigger concerns tonight than even the impending deluge that's currently creeping across the state. In a move that I've always thought a mid-major baseball team should try, LA Tech (8-3)has been using one of it's best arms to start their midweek games, and it's paid off for the Techsters in the form of 2 Top 15 pelts on the wall (USL and at Arkansas.) SR LHP Tyler Clancy (3-0, 1.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 8 BB, 16 K) went at least 6 IP as the starter in both of those game. Also look out for SR RHP Adam Atkins (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 app, 1 SV, 10.2 IP, 2 BB, 12 K) who successfully closed both of those games. At the plate, Tech's best weapon is JR 3B Raphael Gladu (.462 BA/.532 OBP/.615 SLG, 9 RBI, 9 R, 4 BB, 2 K). Tech is hitting .322 as a team with 69 RBIs this season.

It's a long week ahead, even if La Tech might be the toughest game on paper. 5 games in 6 days is a lot of work for a college team. Add to it the high chance of rain from now through Saturday night and there are going to be some long nights ahead for everyone involved. #Pray4TarpCrew