- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 431,667
- Reaction score
- 44
LSU baseball needed a strong showing this weekend. After Auburn swept the Tigers last week, LSU had something to prove vs. No. 15 Alabama. LSU got the series win, taking two of three from the Tide.
For a moment on Thursday, LSU looked destined for disappointment again. LSU scored one run in the first five innings of the series and Alabama led 5-1 when we entered the bottom of the sixth.
Then, a three-run pinch-hit homer from Ashton Larson brought LSU within one. Next, Steven Milam hit another three-run shot in the seventh inning. Ethan Frey kept the party going, sending one over the fence in the eighth. LSU won 11-6.
On Saturday, LSU's pitching took the spotlight. Starter Anthony Eyanson threw six innings of one-run baseball, striking out 12. Daniel Dickinson and Chris Stanfield gave the offense what it needed, each reaching base four times.
With a chance at the sweep on Sunday, LSU came up short. But a series win vs. a ranked opponent still helps the resume.
Here are five takeaways from LSU's baseball vs. Alabama.
LSU ace Kade Anderson doesn't have much to prove. His stuff is some of the best in the SEC and he's continued to rise up MLB draft boards in 2025, but it was another bag of mixed results on Thursday.
Anderson struck out 10 without issuing a walk. Ten strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work is elite, but Anderson surrendered 11 runs in his last two starts. Home runs were a problem on Thursday -- the Crimson Tide took Anderson deep four times.
Anderson's control and strikeout ability are limiting the damage. Without traffic on the basepaths, Anderson avoids the two and three-run homers that blow the game open.
We're two weeks removed from Anderson pitching nine shutout innings vs. Oklahoma, and the underlying numbers remain strong. I wouldn't read too much into Anderson's last two starts, but it's something to watch with tough series coming up.
As usual, LSU's Chase Shores was announced as the game three starter ahead of the series. But on Saturday, Shores didn't get the ball first.
LSU used Conner Ware as the "opener."
Ware pitched two innings before handing the ball over to Shores. Ware allowed three hits and was charged with an earned run.
Coming out of the pen didn't do much to help Shores. He allowed four runs in 2.2 innings. If you're looking for a silver lining, Shores struck out five in limited action.
It's unclear what this means for the LSU rotation going forward. If Johnson is thinking about making a change, did he just want to see what Shores looked like coming out of the pen?
Shores is talented, but has struggled to find his footing after missing all of 2024 with an injury. A bullpen role could allow Shores to settle down and let his stuff do the work.
We didn't see a lot of clutch hitting from LSU early in SEC play. Most of LSU's conference games were blowout wins or close losses. LSU squandered chances vs. Texas and Auburn, even when games were close late.
On Thursday, LSU proved it could flip the switch. Larson and Milam's three-run homers were among LSU's biggest hits this year. LSU was at risk of dropping four straight SEC games before Larson connected.
Milam made sure the momentum wasn't wasted and put LSU in front.
After a lackluster series at Auburn, the LSU lineup needed a jolt. The Tigers got that from star second baseman Daniel Dickinson.
Dickinson totaled seven hits near the top of the lineup. On Friday, he notched three hits and a walk.
Dickinson is a complete hitter. His blend of power and contact is the best LSU has. This lineup is at its best when Dickinson is keeping the top of the order moving. When Dickinson is getting on, it makes things a lot easier for Derek Curiel and Jared Jones.
The Alabama series was an improvement as far as the lineup goes. LSU came to life on Thursday, scoring 11 runs. But the Tigers didn't have the same outbursts in games two and three.
LSU scored four runs apiece on Friday and Saturday. Four runs is a lot better than getting shut out and at least gives the pitching staff a chance to get the win, but it won't cut it in the SEC. LSU has struggled vs. the best pitchers its faced this year and this series didn't do much to ease those concerns.
LSU ranks No. 9 in the conference in slugging in SEC play. The Tigers are getting hits, ranking No. 2 with a .218 average, but the power isn't there. When lineups struggle to supply power, the room for error is a lot smaller. It puts pressure on the lineup to get hit after hit, something that's not sustainable against SEC pitching.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five takeaways | LSU baseball gets needed series win vs. Alabama
Continue reading...
For a moment on Thursday, LSU looked destined for disappointment again. LSU scored one run in the first five innings of the series and Alabama led 5-1 when we entered the bottom of the sixth.
Then, a three-run pinch-hit homer from Ashton Larson brought LSU within one. Next, Steven Milam hit another three-run shot in the seventh inning. Ethan Frey kept the party going, sending one over the fence in the eighth. LSU won 11-6.
On Saturday, LSU's pitching took the spotlight. Starter Anthony Eyanson threw six innings of one-run baseball, striking out 12. Daniel Dickinson and Chris Stanfield gave the offense what it needed, each reaching base four times.
With a chance at the sweep on Sunday, LSU came up short. But a series win vs. a ranked opponent still helps the resume.
Here are five takeaways from LSU's baseball vs. Alabama.
More mixed results from Kade Anderson
LSU ace Kade Anderson doesn't have much to prove. His stuff is some of the best in the SEC and he's continued to rise up MLB draft boards in 2025, but it was another bag of mixed results on Thursday.
Anderson struck out 10 without issuing a walk. Ten strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work is elite, but Anderson surrendered 11 runs in his last two starts. Home runs were a problem on Thursday -- the Crimson Tide took Anderson deep four times.
Anderson's control and strikeout ability are limiting the damage. Without traffic on the basepaths, Anderson avoids the two and three-run homers that blow the game open.
We're two weeks removed from Anderson pitching nine shutout innings vs. Oklahoma, and the underlying numbers remain strong. I wouldn't read too much into Anderson's last two starts, but it's something to watch with tough series coming up.
Chase Shores doesn't get the start on Saturday
As usual, LSU's Chase Shores was announced as the game three starter ahead of the series. But on Saturday, Shores didn't get the ball first.
LSU used Conner Ware as the "opener."
Ware pitched two innings before handing the ball over to Shores. Ware allowed three hits and was charged with an earned run.
Coming out of the pen didn't do much to help Shores. He allowed four runs in 2.2 innings. If you're looking for a silver lining, Shores struck out five in limited action.
It's unclear what this means for the LSU rotation going forward. If Johnson is thinking about making a change, did he just want to see what Shores looked like coming out of the pen?
Shores is talented, but has struggled to find his footing after missing all of 2024 with an injury. A bullpen role could allow Shores to settle down and let his stuff do the work.
LSU showcases clutch hitting on Thursday
We didn't see a lot of clutch hitting from LSU early in SEC play. Most of LSU's conference games were blowout wins or close losses. LSU squandered chances vs. Texas and Auburn, even when games were close late.
On Thursday, LSU proved it could flip the switch. Larson and Milam's three-run homers were among LSU's biggest hits this year. LSU was at risk of dropping four straight SEC games before Larson connected.
Milam made sure the momentum wasn't wasted and put LSU in front.
Daniel Dickinson helps offense bounce back
After a lackluster series at Auburn, the LSU lineup needed a jolt. The Tigers got that from star second baseman Daniel Dickinson.
Dickinson totaled seven hits near the top of the lineup. On Friday, he notched three hits and a walk.
Dickinson is a complete hitter. His blend of power and contact is the best LSU has. This lineup is at its best when Dickinson is keeping the top of the order moving. When Dickinson is getting on, it makes things a lot easier for Derek Curiel and Jared Jones.
There are still questions about LSU's offense vs. top competition
The Alabama series was an improvement as far as the lineup goes. LSU came to life on Thursday, scoring 11 runs. But the Tigers didn't have the same outbursts in games two and three.
LSU scored four runs apiece on Friday and Saturday. Four runs is a lot better than getting shut out and at least gives the pitching staff a chance to get the win, but it won't cut it in the SEC. LSU has struggled vs. the best pitchers its faced this year and this series didn't do much to ease those concerns.
LSU ranks No. 9 in the conference in slugging in SEC play. The Tigers are getting hits, ranking No. 2 with a .218 average, but the power isn't there. When lineups struggle to supply power, the room for error is a lot smaller. It puts pressure on the lineup to get hit after hit, something that's not sustainable against SEC pitching.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five takeaways | LSU baseball gets needed series win vs. Alabama
Continue reading...
