Three Strikes: LSU competes week one of fall ball

BATON ROUGE — The LSU baseball team completed its first of six weeks of fall baseball. Here are three strikes that were key in Week 1.

The Defense: With the emergence of Zach Watson last season, plus junior Antoine Duplantis roaming the outfield, the Tigers are poised to have a solid outfield for yet another season under head coach Paul Mainieri. Sophomore Josh Smith has emerged as a key cog for the defense at shortstop, and Jake Slaughter has shifted over to third base. Bryce Jordan will make his return, and as Mainieri said, he is going to most likely be the best option at first base for the Tigers. With Michael Papierski being drafted by the Houston Astros in June, there is a question mark behind the plate. However, both junior transfer Hunter Feduccia and freshman Mason Doolittle have shown promise.

“Feduccia and Doolittle both have really significant tools,” Mainieri explained. “They both throw really well. Doolittle probably has a little more power, but he’s a little more inconsistent at the plate. Feduccia is more consistent, more of a spray hitter, but he doesn’t have as much power as Doolittle. One’s right handed, one’s left handed, but these guys give us two great options.”

Second Base Competition: There are three guys currently competing for the second base spot, which is empty from last season with the departure of senior Cole Freeman. Currently working at the position are junior transfer Brandt Broussard, sophomore Rankin Woley and freshman Hal Hughes.

“Brandt Broussard had a nice game today (Sunday), I thought, and Hal Hughes can certainly play defense,” Mainieri said. “Right now, he’s a little light on the bat, but Hal can play defense. We will have to see. There may be some games when you go with the guy who has the bigger bat and then replace him for defense later. Those kinds of things will come up, so we will see.”

Freshmen Hitters: Newcomers Daniel Cabrera and Nick Webre have not been shy at the plate for the start of the fall season. Last week, Cabrera hit .333 with one double and two home runs—both opposite field, while Webre had four doubles to cap his .538 hitting percentage.

“Nick Webre is great,” Mainieri said. “He’s everything I expected him to be swinging the bat, but we have to figure out what position he can play, whether it is first base or left field. He has a way to go defensively, but he’s distinguishing himself with the bat, that’s for sure.”

“Cabrera has been everything that I’ve hoped for,” Mainieri added. “The only thing I didn’t know about him is how well he ran them down in the outfield. (Undergraduate assistant coach) Leon Landry has done some really good work with him showing him the nuances of playing in the outfield. He has the ability to throw runners out with his arm, and obviously, he can swing the bat. He’s a good baseball player, and he’s only going to get better.”

Lagniappe:
Former Tigers Alex Bregman and Will Harris have advanced to the American League Championship Series in the MLB Playoffs after the Houston Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox In four games. In Game 4, Bregman drove in the game-tying run with a solo home run. In the divisional series, Bregman had two home runs and Harris pitched 0.2 shutout inning. The Astros will begin the best-of-seven series against either the Cleveland Indians or the New York Yankees on October 13.

WEEK ONE SCRIMMAGE LEADERS

Hitters
Bryce Jordan- .545 with three doubles
Nick Webre- .538 with four doubles
Hunter Feduccia- .500 with one double and one triple
Antoine Duplantis- .429 with two doubles
Daniel Cabrera- .333 with one double and two home runs

Pitchers
Nick Bush- 0.00 ERA, 5.1 IP, three strikeouts
Devin Fontenot- 0.00 ERA, 4.2 innings pitched, three strikeouts
Ma’Khail Hilliard- 0.00 ERA, 2.0 innings pitched, three strikeouts
Caleb Gilbert- 0.00 ERA, 2.0 innings pitched, one strikeout

WEEK TWO PRACTICE SCHEDULE- All times are tentative and weather permitting
Wednesday, October 11
Practice- 3 p.m.
Scrimmage- 5 p.m.

Thursday, October 12
Practice- 3 p.m.
Scrimmage- 5 p.m.

Friday, October 13
Practice- 3 p.m.
Scrimmage- 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 15
Practice- 4 p.m.
Scrimmage- 6 p.m.