Baseball-An early season look at where we stand.

How does everyone think this team compares to the teams of the last 5 years? How good could this team be?

So far the piching staff looks deeper than any I remember in recent years. This is by far the best defensive team we have had in many years. The team seems loaded with hitters from top to bottom and is two deep with quality players at most positions. This team also seems to be hitting stride a little faster than most LSU teams of the past. They also seem to be willing and able to play small ball at times which is something we have lacked at times. It is very very early but IMO this could be one of the more complete teams we have fielded in a very long time and the sky seems to be the limit. I would like to hear how some of the fans that have been season ticket holders for years think this team looks compared to the teams the last five years and some of our earlier championship teams. :geaux: :lsug: :champs: :tigbas: :tigbas: :tigbas: :tigbas:

 

Next week is going to be the true test of where we stand...South Carolina has a very good chance of being undefeated going into our series at Sarge Frye Field. Our pitching has been absolutely dominant thus far, though...I have no reason to think we shouldn't come out of that series in pretty good shape.

 

So far, it looks like we have quality depth at all positions, including the pitching staff. Smoke is giving players like Weaver, Diliberto and W. Harris lots of playing time and that will help tremendously later in the conference season. South Carolina has a real good baseball program and taking 2 of 3 on the road would be huge.

 

Well I think we have looked pretty good for the most part. But we are defentantly not in stride. We still have a ways to go with some people.

Mestepey is not his old self yet. He still struggles at times and can't really locate his fast ball. We'll just have to wait and see how it works out. Stavinoha has not exactly been stellar at DH. He trys way too much to launch be ball instead of just making contact and he ends up popping up alot. Two of a most consisent hitters from last year (Harris and Patterson) have been our most inconsisent hitters this year. Both have had long hittless streaks early on. Patterson I'm not so worried about because I know he will come around. Also Naccarata cannot hit left handed pitching.

Currently, Holt and Zeringue are pretty much at another level compared to the rest of the team and have been very solid. Zeringue already has 12 doubles in 17 games. He's on pace to break Hawpe's NCAA record. Two surprises so far this season are Will Harris and Hebert. Harris is knocking the cover off the ball and is too good not to play. Hebert has been very good a short, he has very quick hands. He has also hit the ball well. Also Clay Dirks is good enough to be our No.1 guy right now. We easily have 4 starters if Mestepey and Bumstead can work back into top form.

 

I can't wait until the Regionals and the CWS!

 

Can't say we are a well-oiled machine just yet, but we look very sharp. The good news is that we get a great idea of how good we are very early at SC. I can't read enough good things about this USC team and they look to be a force. This may be our toughest road series between now and the CWS...

 

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Naccarata worries me. I think he lacks confidence from some discussions ive heard and he presses. I think he thinks too much and not sure he can correct it. Just a feel from some things i hear and more from what I see. anyone else get a different feel for him? you know once you think instead of reacting, your timing will never be there.

Hebert a pleasant surprise. Did SC win all 3 this weekend and remain undefeated?

should we call Souther Cal USC and South Carolina SC for argument's sake? lol

 

I know its only been for 2 games but Clay Dirks has been dominating. Does anybody else think he might be our best pitcher and will be in the weekend rotation next week against the Gamecocks?

 

yeah

due to injury or he would probably be gone. dirks is a stud lefty and you basically only need to throw strikes and over 80 to make it near the show. Add his velocity and his size/presence....he has all the makings of a stud. Let's see mentally how he handles a full slate vs tough competition and hope he is 1/2 the competitor Mestepey is.

 

This is easily the best team since I have been a student at LSU. I see them on equal footing with the 2000 squad, but possibly more depth and definately more pitching.