GAMETHREAD: #8 LSU vs. Northwestern State (6:30, SECN+)

LSU rides their eight game possum-fueled streak into Tuesday night's contest with Northwestern State before their rendezvous with top ranked Florida this weekend at the Box.

Despite a respectable 30-21 record overall and an RPI of 40, Northwestern State sits a full five games behind Southeastern Louisiana's blistering pace through the Southland Conference with a 17-10 conference record. Last week the Demons bounced back getting swept in a midweek series against Louisiana Tech by dishing out a a sweep downriver against Nicholls State.

Northwestern State is lead by middle infielder David Fry who sports a healthy .378 OBP stemming from 17 walks and 13 hit by pitches in addition to 55 hits. Fry also serves as the deep threat for the team as he leads the Demons in home runs with seven. Northwestern only has two batters batting above the .300 mark, Cort Brinson (.305) and Kelsey Richard (.300).

Freshman Austin Reich (1.77) will get the ball for Northwestern State in his first collegiate start. Reich has pitched in 20.1 innings spread across 16 appearances this season, surrendering 13 hits leading to six runs (four earned) while striking out 20 and walking 12. John Valek III (4.03) will get the start for the Tigers.

The last time Northwestern State closed out LSU's midweek schedule, something rather odd happened. LSU not only blew out the Demons by a football score of 27-0, they no hit them in a rain shortened game as well. Oh and it gave us this gif: