The first of LSU's two summer football camps started Sunday, and if you were looking for a who's who of prospects on the Tigers' radar, Sunday wasn't the best day.
That's not to say it was void of talent.
All it took was for the talented players from LSU's on-campus high school, University Lab, to show up. ESPN 150 senior defensive end Tim Williams led the contingent, bur he was far from the only Cub at the camp who might have a major college future.
That's not to say it was void of talent.
All it took was for the talented players from LSU's on-campus high school, University Lab, to show up. ESPN 150 senior defensive end Tim Williams led the contingent, bur he was far from the only Cub at the camp who might have a major college future.
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It's not much of a story that Oregon State eliminated Louisiana-Monroe on Sunday afternoon to advance to the championship round against No. 7 LSU.
The Beavers (40-19) cruised to an 11-2 win against the Warhawks (32-30), and they held a 7-1 advantage as early as the fourth inning -- the upcoming rematch with LSU was a foregone conclusion soon after the first pitch was thrown.
What stands out a little bit more isn't the win itself, but the boost that Oregon State starting pitcher Ben Wetzler delivered to his ball club. Much like LSU ace Kevin Gausman on Saturday night, Wetzler labored through an intensive, 128-pitch start, allowing eight hits but only two runs. More impressive than that, Wetzler nearly pulled off a complete game in the 90-degree heat of a June afternoon in Baton Rouge. He lasted 8.2 innings and struck out eight ULM batters, allowing the Beavers to shelve their bullpen for the Tigers.
The Beavers (40-19) cruised to an 11-2 win against the Warhawks (32-30), and they held a 7-1 advantage as early as the fourth inning -- the upcoming rematch with LSU was a foregone conclusion soon after the first pitch was thrown.
What stands out a little bit more isn't the win itself, but the boost that Oregon State starting pitcher Ben Wetzler delivered to his ball club. Much like LSU ace Kevin Gausman on Saturday night, Wetzler labored through an intensive, 128-pitch start, allowing eight hits but only two runs. More impressive than that, Wetzler nearly pulled off a complete game in the 90-degree heat of a June afternoon in Baton Rouge. He lasted 8.2 innings and struck out eight ULM batters, allowing the Beavers to shelve their bullpen for the Tigers.
BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU coach Paul Mainieri summed up the stakes in LSU's 7-1 win over Oregon State Saturday quite nicely.
"These kids didn't need any more pressure on them than they already have, so I didn't tell them until after the game was over that the difference of winning this game was the difference of having to win one more game or three more games," Manieri said. "It's pretty significant."
By winning, the Tigers (45-16) are in great shape heading into the championship round, getting two chances to win one game that will wrap up the the Baton Roug regional.
They'll sit back and watch Oregon State and Louisiana-Monroe play the 1:30 p.m. elimination game. After the Beavers and Warhawks go through nine innings of pitching staff depletion, LSU will be there waiting with weekend starter Ryan Eades (5-2, 3.36) ready to go against whatever the winner of the ULM-OSU game has left.
"These kids didn't need any more pressure on them than they already have, so I didn't tell them until after the game was over that the difference of winning this game was the difference of having to win one more game or three more games," Manieri said. "It's pretty significant."
By winning, the Tigers (45-16) are in great shape heading into the championship round, getting two chances to win one game that will wrap up the the Baton Roug regional.
They'll sit back and watch Oregon State and Louisiana-Monroe play the 1:30 p.m. elimination game. After the Beavers and Warhawks go through nine innings of pitching staff depletion, LSU will be there waiting with weekend starter Ryan Eades (5-2, 3.36) ready to go against whatever the winner of the ULM-OSU game has left.
If you look at the box score, it was a routine night for LSU ace Kevin Gausman.
The Tigers' soon-to-be first round MLB draft pick pitched eight innings and allowed just one run in LSU's convincing defeat of Oregon State on Saturday night.
But for the SEC's strikeout leader with 128 batters punched out -- he of the 2.72 ERA -- the 7-1 victory was a painstaking grind compared to the effortless outings the sophomore is used to. Gausman allowed at least one base runner in seven of the eight innings he pitched. When he didn't give up hits (seven on the night), he walked batters or hit them. Even when he did force an out, the Beavers ran his pitch count to an astronomical 129 -- 61 after just three innings.
And for a pitcher accustomed to striking out dozens of batters, Gausman could only get three Beaver batters to go down swinging.
The Tigers' soon-to-be first round MLB draft pick pitched eight innings and allowed just one run in LSU's convincing defeat of Oregon State on Saturday night.
But for the SEC's strikeout leader with 128 batters punched out -- he of the 2.72 ERA -- the 7-1 victory was a painstaking grind compared to the effortless outings the sophomore is used to. Gausman allowed at least one base runner in seven of the eight innings he pitched. When he didn't give up hits (seven on the night), he walked batters or hit them. Even when he did force an out, the Beavers ran his pitch count to an astronomical 129 -- 61 after just three innings.
And for a pitcher accustomed to striking out dozens of batters, Gausman could only get three Beaver batters to go down swinging.
Regional Reaction: LSU 7, Oregon State 1
June, 3, 2012
6/03/12
12:21
AM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
Some quick thoughts from LSU's grueling 7-1 win against Oregon State.
Overview: When the matchup of Tigers (45-16) against Beavers (39-19) was decided during Friday night's opening round, the assumption was the two squads would grind through a low-scoring pitching duel. LSU brought its all-everything ace in Kevin Gausman, and Oregon State countered with righty Dan Child and his impressive 2.75 ERA.
Gausman gave himself something to sweat over during every trip to the mound in his eight innings of work. The sophomore labored to a massive pitch count, as he threw 61 pitches in the first three innings on the way to 129 total pitches for the night. The SEC's strikeout king didn't rack up many K's, either, as he punched out just three batters.
That said, Gausman stubbornly refused to allow Oregon State runners across home plate. The Beavers managed one run in the third inning when Gausman gave up three straight base hits. After that, however, he only allowed one runner to reach third base. He stranded 10 Oregon State runners on the base paths.
Overview: When the matchup of Tigers (45-16) against Beavers (39-19) was decided during Friday night's opening round, the assumption was the two squads would grind through a low-scoring pitching duel. LSU brought its all-everything ace in Kevin Gausman, and Oregon State countered with righty Dan Child and his impressive 2.75 ERA.
Gausman gave himself something to sweat over during every trip to the mound in his eight innings of work. The sophomore labored to a massive pitch count, as he threw 61 pitches in the first three innings on the way to 129 total pitches for the night. The SEC's strikeout king didn't rack up many K's, either, as he punched out just three batters.
That said, Gausman stubbornly refused to allow Oregon State runners across home plate. The Beavers managed one run in the third inning when Gausman gave up three straight base hits. After that, however, he only allowed one runner to reach third base. He stranded 10 Oregon State runners on the base paths.
A long phone conversation with LSU head coach Les Miles has Lewis Neal excited about the Tigers.
"A lot," the defensive end from Wilson (N.C.) Hunt said via text message when asked what the two talked about.
Neal declined to call LSU his leader, at least until he takes a visit to Baton Rouge on June 23. Neal is certainly being patient with his recruitment after committing to Ohio State, then de-committing shortly thereafter this spring.
While there is no public leader, Neal seems to have strong feelings for the Tigers, which makes them well worth watching.
"A lot," the defensive end from Wilson (N.C.) Hunt said via text message when asked what the two talked about.
Neal declined to call LSU his leader, at least until he takes a visit to Baton Rouge on June 23. Neal is certainly being patient with his recruitment after committing to Ohio State, then de-committing shortly thereafter this spring.
While there is no public leader, Neal seems to have strong feelings for the Tigers, which makes them well worth watching.
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Louisiana-Monroe (32-29) bounced back from a tantalizing loss to LSU in fine form Saturday afternoon, eliminating Belmont (39-24) from the Baton Rouge regional in the process.
Overview: Much like Friday, pitching dominated in the early going of a small ball clinic by both the Warhawks and the Bruins. Belmont could not register a hit on ULM starter Cale Wine until the fourth inning, while ULM continually made contact on Belmont's Matt Hamann but could not push runs across the plate.
After stranding three runners in the first two innings, the Warhawks finally got on the board when shortstop Jeremy Sy tripled to right field and reached home on a fielder's choice. ULM built the lead to 3-0 in the next inning, when Brandon Alexander scored from third on a wild pitch before Corben Green scored another with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Overview: Much like Friday, pitching dominated in the early going of a small ball clinic by both the Warhawks and the Bruins. Belmont could not register a hit on ULM starter Cale Wine until the fourth inning, while ULM continually made contact on Belmont's Matt Hamann but could not push runs across the plate.
After stranding three runners in the first two innings, the Warhawks finally got on the board when shortstop Jeremy Sy tripled to right field and reached home on a fielder's choice. ULM built the lead to 3-0 in the next inning, when Brandon Alexander scored from third on a wild pitch before Corben Green scored another with a sacrifice fly to left field.
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Friday night would have been special without any manufactured story lines hanging over the proceedings at Alex Box Stadium.
With 9,909 fans in attendance for LSU's return to the postseason after a disappointing 2011, it was special enough to see the Tigers out-duel their former pitcher Randy Zeigler in a classic pitchers' battle to open this weekend's regional.
It was even better when the Tigers' freshman starting pitcher notched a career-high 10 strikeouts and went eight innings while holding the Warhawks to a paltry one-run. And when the pitching suffered a let down, there was LSU's senior shortstop to make diving catches, turn double plays and knock in a game-best two RBI in his last postseason with the team.
With 9,909 fans in attendance for LSU's return to the postseason after a disappointing 2011, it was special enough to see the Tigers out-duel their former pitcher Randy Zeigler in a classic pitchers' battle to open this weekend's regional.
It was even better when the Tigers' freshman starting pitcher notched a career-high 10 strikeouts and went eight innings while holding the Warhawks to a paltry one-run. And when the pitching suffered a let down, there was LSU's senior shortstop to make diving catches, turn double plays and knock in a game-best two RBI in his last postseason with the team.
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BATON ROUGE, La. – With the top seeds holding serve in the first day of the Baton Rouge regional Friday at Alex Box Stadium, it set the stage for an early NCAA tournament meeting of national powers.
No. 7 LSU (44-16), the region's top seed, will face No. 17 Oregon State (39-18), the tourney's No. 2 seed. The pair have won three of the last six national championships and their conferences have won five of the last six national titles.
"It's SEC vs. Pac-12," LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. "That's a big game."
No. 7 LSU (44-16), the region's top seed, will face No. 17 Oregon State (39-18), the tourney's No. 2 seed. The pair have won three of the last six national championships and their conferences have won five of the last six national titles.
"It's SEC vs. Pac-12," LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. "That's a big game."
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Quick thoughts from Alex Box Stadium, where No. 7 LSU (44-16) downed Louisiana-Monroe (31-29) to advance into the winner's bracket of the Baton Rouge regional of the NCAA Division I NCAA Baseball Championship.
Overview: Much like Friday afternoon's early game between Oregon State and Belmont, the Tigers and Warhawks settled in to quite an epic pitching duel to start the regional nightcap.
For roughly seven innings, LSU's Aaron Nola (7-4) and ULM's Randy Zeigler (5-7) pitched absolute gems on the way to a tense 1-1 tie. With a strong wind blowing in from right field and both pitchers baffling the opposing lineups, the game had a just four combined hits heading into the deep innings.
Overview: Much like Friday afternoon's early game between Oregon State and Belmont, the Tigers and Warhawks settled in to quite an epic pitching duel to start the regional nightcap.
For roughly seven innings, LSU's Aaron Nola (7-4) and ULM's Randy Zeigler (5-7) pitched absolute gems on the way to a tense 1-1 tie. With a strong wind blowing in from right field and both pitchers baffling the opposing lineups, the game had a just four combined hits heading into the deep innings.
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Regional Reaction: Oregon State 2, Belmont 1
June, 1, 2012
6/01/12
6:12
PM ET
By
David Helman | ESPN.com
If the scoreline wasn't evidence enough, expect runs to come at a premium no matter which of these squads LSU faces on Saturday.
Pitching was on display during Friday's regional opener between Oregon State (39-18) and Belmont (39-23). The Beavers eked out a 2-1 victory against the Bruins despite managing a paltry three hits all afternoon. The Bruins didn't fare much better with just six hits of their own, but they could muster only one run to compete with Oregon State's pair.
Those runs weren't easily earned, either. The Beavers opened the scoring in the second frame when Ryan Barnes doubled to open the inning and moved to third on a fielder's choice. Kavin Keyes brought Barnes home on a sacrifice fly with one out.
The Bruins responded to tie the score in the fifth inning when Dylan Craig hit a leadoff triple before scoring on a fielder's choice -- but that would be the only run Belmont could muster -- although there were opportunities. The Oregon State pitching staff was clutch when it needed to be, as the Beavers wound up stranding nine Belmont runners. The most glaring gaffe was a two-out rally in the fourth inning, when the Bruins loaded the bases with two men gone but couldn't push a run across.
The pitching performances will give LSU's righty-laden lineup something to think about. The Beavers used two lefties to devastating effect. Starter Jace Fry went five innings and allowed four hits and one run, and reliever Matt Boyd went 2.1 innings and allowed just one hit to pick up his third save. Right-handed reliever Tony Bryant (6-2) picked up the win while working in between Fry and Boyd.
Impressive as the Oregon State bullpen looked (just two hits allowed over four innings of work), LSU will be happy it dodged a potential matchup with Belmont starter Chase Brookshire (8-4). Brookshire was the definition of a tough luck loser Friday. He went seven innings against the Beavers and allowed just three hits and two earned runs. But he picked up the loss when the Beaver bullpen shut down the comeback attempt.
If the regional opener is any indication, LSU is in for quite a struggle at the plate on Saturday -- regardless of whom the Tigers face.
Pitching was on display during Friday's regional opener between Oregon State (39-18) and Belmont (39-23). The Beavers eked out a 2-1 victory against the Bruins despite managing a paltry three hits all afternoon. The Bruins didn't fare much better with just six hits of their own, but they could muster only one run to compete with Oregon State's pair.
Those runs weren't easily earned, either. The Beavers opened the scoring in the second frame when Ryan Barnes doubled to open the inning and moved to third on a fielder's choice. Kavin Keyes brought Barnes home on a sacrifice fly with one out.
The Bruins responded to tie the score in the fifth inning when Dylan Craig hit a leadoff triple before scoring on a fielder's choice -- but that would be the only run Belmont could muster -- although there were opportunities. The Oregon State pitching staff was clutch when it needed to be, as the Beavers wound up stranding nine Belmont runners. The most glaring gaffe was a two-out rally in the fourth inning, when the Bruins loaded the bases with two men gone but couldn't push a run across.
The pitching performances will give LSU's righty-laden lineup something to think about. The Beavers used two lefties to devastating effect. Starter Jace Fry went five innings and allowed four hits and one run, and reliever Matt Boyd went 2.1 innings and allowed just one hit to pick up his third save. Right-handed reliever Tony Bryant (6-2) picked up the win while working in between Fry and Boyd.
Impressive as the Oregon State bullpen looked (just two hits allowed over four innings of work), LSU will be happy it dodged a potential matchup with Belmont starter Chase Brookshire (8-4). Brookshire was the definition of a tough luck loser Friday. He went seven innings against the Beavers and allowed just three hits and two earned runs. But he picked up the loss when the Beaver bullpen shut down the comeback attempt.
If the regional opener is any indication, LSU is in for quite a struggle at the plate on Saturday -- regardless of whom the Tigers face.
If you wanted to keep the Florida series alive, you were in luck Friday as SEC presidents and athletic directors voted to adopt a 6-1-1 schedule format.
That means six games against division foes, one game against a permanent cross-division opponent and one against a rotating opponent from the opposite division.
The permanent cross-division opponent for LSU will be Florida. It's for this reason that LSU was openly opposed to the 6-1-1 format. Florida offers the Tigers a difficult opponent, but not necessarily the natural rivalry of an Alabama-Tennessee or Georgia-Auburn cross-division game.
But LSU is stuck with it. And the Tigers will also have Western Division games every year against Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas and incoming member Texas A&M.
This will guarantee that, in most seasons, LSU's schedule will be among the nation's most difficult, even if Tigers don't play a tough non-conference game, like the 2011 opener against Oregon.
That means six games against division foes, one game against a permanent cross-division opponent and one against a rotating opponent from the opposite division.
The permanent cross-division opponent for LSU will be Florida. It's for this reason that LSU was openly opposed to the 6-1-1 format. Florida offers the Tigers a difficult opponent, but not necessarily the natural rivalry of an Alabama-Tennessee or Georgia-Auburn cross-division game.
But LSU is stuck with it. And the Tigers will also have Western Division games every year against Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas and incoming member Texas A&M.
This will guarantee that, in most seasons, LSU's schedule will be among the nation's most difficult, even if Tigers don't play a tough non-conference game, like the 2011 opener against Oregon.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Mom could barely talk.
It was an emotional scene at the conclusion of the Nike Football Training Camp on Friday when Frank Herron announced he was committed to LSU.
Surrounded by coaches, friends and family, the four-star defensive end from Memphis East High School shared the news in what has become a familiar method made popular by NBA superstar LeBron James.
It was an emotional scene at the conclusion of the Nike Football Training Camp on Friday when Frank Herron announced he was committed to LSU.
Surrounded by coaches, friends and family, the four-star defensive end from Memphis East High School shared the news in what has become a familiar method made popular by NBA superstar LeBron James.
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It was just a few days ago when I said LSU would be wise to turn its attention to the defensive side of the ball regarding its 2013 class. In recent weeks the Tigers have added a wide receiver, a quarterback and an offensive tackle, with not much development in the defensive hotspots.
That all changed Friday, when the Tigers picked up a commitment from four-star defensive end Frank Herron (Memphis/Central) at the Memphis NFTC. Herron gives LSU 14 commitments for 2013, and he is the Tigers' third four-star commitment in the last 10 days, behind quarterback Hayden Rettig and offensive tackle Ethan Pocic.
Even more exciting than that Herron is the third four-star recruit in the last two weeks to come from outside Louisiana. Sure, Memphis is much closer than Rettig's hometown of Los Angeles or Pocic's Lemont, Ill., but the exposure and notoriety of LSU's run to the BCS Championship Game seems like it's paying dividends on the national recruiting scene.
That all changed Friday, when the Tigers picked up a commitment from four-star defensive end Frank Herron (Memphis/Central) at the Memphis NFTC. Herron gives LSU 14 commitments for 2013, and he is the Tigers' third four-star commitment in the last 10 days, behind quarterback Hayden Rettig and offensive tackle Ethan Pocic.
Even more exciting than that Herron is the third four-star recruit in the last two weeks to come from outside Louisiana. Sure, Memphis is much closer than Rettig's hometown of Los Angeles or Pocic's Lemont, Ill., but the exposure and notoriety of LSU's run to the BCS Championship Game seems like it's paying dividends on the national recruiting scene.
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Few football players – regardless of classification – have the combination of offers that 2014 cornerback Nick Watkins (Dallas/Bishop Dunne) holds.
Alabama. LSU. Ohio State. Arkansas. Michigan. Georgia. Just a few of the programs that Watkins will have the opportunity to choose from when it’s his time to commit.
Watkins added Oklahoma on Friday, upping his list of offers to 11. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound cornerback picked up an offer from Notre Dame on Thursday. LSU and Georgia offered on Wednesday.
Alabama. LSU. Ohio State. Arkansas. Michigan. Georgia. Just a few of the programs that Watkins will have the opportunity to choose from when it’s his time to commit.
Watkins added Oklahoma on Friday, upping his list of offers to 11. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound cornerback picked up an offer from Notre Dame on Thursday. LSU and Georgia offered on Wednesday.
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ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com