#2 LSU at #9 ARKANSAS -- NCAA BASEBALL'S BIGGEST MATCHUP OF THE WEEKEND

Fri 12 – 6:30 p.m. CT
Sat 13 – 6:00 p.m. CT – TELEVISED ON CST
Sun 14 – 1:00 p.m. CT – TELEVISED ON CST

Rankings:
#1/2/2/2/3 LSU...2.0 avg rank
#8/8/10/10/10 Arkansas...9.2 avg rank

Top Five Teams in the SEC in the Current Polls:
#1/2/2/2/3 LSU
#2/3/3/3/3 Vandy (host Missouri this weekend)
#8/8/10/10/10 Arkansas
#8/9/10/11/12 South Carolina (play @Florida this weekend)
#10/13/14/14/14 Kentucky (host Tennessee this weekend)


Flanked by a regiment of brave Tiger loyalists, LSU leaves the friendly confines of Tiger Nation far behind, and makes the perilous nine-hour drive up into the highlands of northwest Arkansas, over the Ouachita Mountains and deep, deep, deep into the heart of the red-clad land of WOO. PIG. SOOIE.

Arkansas fans know that a 3-game sweep of LSU puts them tied for #1 in the SEC West with LSU at 11-4 SEC records... and they know, that laying in wait for LSU, perched up in the Ozark Mountains (at an elevation of 1,350 feet above sea level), is what most expected to be The Greatest Team in 2013 College Baseball, and The Greatest Team in the History of Arkansas Baseball:


Arkansas in the Preseason Polls (first time in Arkansas baseball history they've been preseason #1)
#1 ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll
#1 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
#1 Collegiate Baseball
#2 Perfect Game (behind #1 UNC)
#3 Baseball America (behind #1 UNC and #2 Vandy)


Arkansas in the Preseason SEC Coaches' Poll

SEC Champion:
9 SEC coaches picked -- Arkansas
3 SEC coaches picked -- Vanderbilt
1 SEC coach picked -- Kentucky
1 SEC coach picked -- LSU

SEC Western Division Champions
12 SEC coaches picked -- Arkansas
1 SEC coach picked -- Miss State
1 SEC coach picked -- LSU


Arkansas returns the vast majority of their team that made it to the CWS Final Four last season, and as the Arkansas coach points out "we've got a lot more depth in the lineup this year. Guys at just about every position are pushing each other."

"This is the deepest team we have had at Arkansas," said Razorback Head Coach Dave Van Horn, now in his 11th season. He has led the Razorbacks to three appearances at the College World Series in 2004, 2009 and 2012.

"We have had good teams the last four or five years. But this team pitching wise is deeper than all of them...Offensively, I feel we will have a tremendous offensive lineup to go with our experienced pitching...we are very athletic...(CF Jacob Morris) is best defensive centerfielder I have ever had, and he can really throw...Our second baseman (Dominic Ficociello) is...outstanding...(team captain) Jake Wise is an outstanding defensive catcher with a strong arm...We have a bunch of mature kids who have College World Series, Super Regional and Regional playoff experience...we should have a very good season...We definitely have a chance to get back to the College World Series."

Arkansas has been tinkering with their starting pitching rotation all season, until three weekends ago when they decided on Astin-Stanek-Fant... and since then, Arkansas has been on a tear: winning series on the road @ #10 South Carolina, on the road @ #22 Alabama, and at home against #20 Mississippi State. At 8-4, Arkansas is off to its best start in SEC play since 2010

Mainieri:
"We’re looking forward to the challenge of playing at Arkansas - it’s a tough environment and we certainly respect their program...We’ve had some tremendous ball games with them over the years, and this weekend should provide the same"

Aaron Fitt of Baseball America on LSU @ Arkansas (which he is going to):
"I haven’t been this fired up about a series in a long time — really looking forward to that atmosphere, and to seeing all the talent on both sides. That series is going to be a blast...this should be a great test for both teams."




Fans call the Hogs with Ribby, the Arkansas baseball mascot, Friday, March 15, 2013, before the start of play against Ole Miss at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

 

It's STEEL ON STEEL and SPARKS SHOULD FLY!!!!

LSU batters
#1 in SEC in batting avg (#1 in SEC-only play too)
#1 in SEC in slugging pct (#1 in SEC-only play too)
#1 in SEC in on base pct (#1 in SEC-only play too)
#1 in SEC in total bases (#1 in SEC-only play too)
#1 in SEC in hits (#1 in SEC-only play too)
#1 in SEc in runs scored (#1 in SEC-only play too)
#1 in SEC in RBI (#1 in SEC-only play too)
#1 in SEC in doubles
#1 in SEC-only play in triples
#1 in SEC-only play in home runs

Arkansas pitchers
#1 in SEC in ERA (1.56)
#1 in SEC-only play in ERA (1.75)
#1 in SEC in opponent batting average (.196)
#1 in SEC-only play in opponent batting avg (.207)
#1 in SEC in fewest hits allowed
#1 in SEC-only play in fewest hits allowed
#1 in SEC in fewest runs allowed
#1 in SEC in fewest earned runs allowed
#1 in SEC-only play in fewest earned runs allowed
#1 in SEC in fewest doubles allowed
#1 in SEC in fewest triples allowed (0)
#1 in SEC in fewest home runs allowed

 

the only other Top 25 matchups this weekend are:

4/5/5/5/5 Virginia @ 17/18/19/19/20 Georgia Tech

22/NR/NR/NR/NR Alabama @ 18/21/21/23/NR Ole Miss

16/16/21/22/26 Mississippi State @ 24/NR/NR/NR/NR Texas A&M


and this is what Georgia Tech's ballpark looks like:


Georgia Tech's Russ Chandler Stadium (Seating Capacity 4,157, record attendance: 4,609)

 

the last time LSU went to Arkansas, Arkansas fans set a record attendance (11,103) as Arkansas swept LSU W 5-4, W 4-3, W 2-0

Arkansas' Baum Stadium averages the biggest crowds of anybody that LSU could possible play:

NCAA AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE
2013 -- #2 Arkansas (LSU is #1) 7,761 (as of 4/8/13)
2012 -- #2 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 7,924 -- Arkansas went to College World Series
2011 -- #3 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 7,932
2010 -- #2 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 7,704 -- Arkansas went to Super Regional (Sweet 16)
2009 -- #2 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 7,906 -- Arkansas went to College World Series
2008 -- #2 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 6,968
2007 -- #1 Arkansas (LSU was #2) 8,089
2006 -- #2 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 7,123
2005 -- #2 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 7,156
2004 -- #5 Arkansas (LSU was #1) 4,784 -- Arkansas went to College World Series

 

comments by LSU fans:

Pumped for the games.

Wish I could be there

Can't wait for Friday and watching these two teams go at each other.

Looking forward to the games.

I think it will be a hell of a series

This is a tough series to gauge...LSU has been lights out for several weeks and really hasnt been tested except by Missouri on that Sunday afternoon game. For Arkansas, this is there SEC West Championship series...if they do not win the series then their hope for a West Title and a possible regular season title is lost.

LSU losing a series is bound to happen at some point. The fan base is on cloud 9. The team is rolling. Everyone is assuming 2/3 and most are thinking sweep. Just when you think you've got this game figured out, baseball will kick you in the nuts and show you that you don't know a thing.

Its more likely we get swept than us sweeping, imo. ... We only have 2 legit starters and 1 great bullpen guy. Add to that, we haven't beaten any team who will win a regional.

Arkansas is playing great ball lately and I just hope the Tigers can take 2.

I have always heard good pitching beats good batting, so I guess we will find out this weekend. Arkansas' pitching era is sickening. the Arkansas starters and pitching depth worries me and playing at Baum is no cake walk. ... Arkansas' pitching is stellar. I believe the games will be low scoring

my homer pick is that LSU wins the series, but I could see it going either way...should be a good series and one of the best matchup of the year.

This is going to be a great series. Could put Arkansas back in hunt, or make LSU the favorite to win it all. I think we split the first two, and who knows on Sunday.

if Arkansas pitches like it has all season, LSU doesn't get on base much....If LSU hits like it has all season, Arkansas will not slow them down much...I predict neither will give and we have 3 low scoring ball games...

It will be 3 low scoring games. This is the first series all year for us that I feel could go either way.

Our offense is due for some regression. I think it comes this weekend against a really good pitching staff. Ill be estatic to get 2/3

I would be ecstatic with 2 out of 3.

I say1/3 would be ok and 2/3 would be great.

It's hard to think this level of insanely good baseball can continue, especially against our toughest foe thus far. 2 of 3 is seriously outstanding if we can get that in their house.

I really find it hard to predict if we get 1 or 2 wins this weekend. Ill stick with saying 1 out of 3. 2 out of 3 and I'm ecstatic. As long as we get 1 things look good

LSU will probably face its toughest test.

I see all three games being extremely tight.

this will be a tight series.

I know Arky will be fired up to play LSU. The crowd will be rocking. We need Nola to pitch lights out Friday to set the tone for the weekend. I am fired up and it's only Thursday.

it will likely be very competitive all 3 games. Only blowout i could see is Arkansas blowing LSU out on Sunday if Glenn continues his sec road woes.

Best hitting team in the country vs the best pitching staff. Unfortunately for the good guys, good pitching is almost always better than hot bats.

they will be pumped to play LSU at home.

Cant wait to see Arky pitching vs. Tiger bats... Gonna be a great series, wish I could be there!

Arky's got a sick pitching staff led by Stanek, likely the nations 3rd best pitcher (behind Sean Manaea and Appel).

their pitching is very, very good.

 

comments by Arkansas fans:

Baum should be insane.

This should be a great weekend of baseball. Baum should be rocking can't wait!!

both fan bases hoping for 2 outta 3. Should be an extremely good series.

Can't friggin wait for this weekend, gonna be an exciting series.

Saturday with Stanek will be interesting because it's a night game, we haven't played a night game on Saturday night at Baum in a while.

A classic matchup. Great hitting vs. great pitching.

It should be a great series this weekend at Baum.

Looking so forward to seeing this.

Something's gonna give this weekend. Hopefully the old baseball trend comes through and great pitching beats great hitting.

 

they just played a clip from Mainieri talking about how in his 6 years at LSU, the Arkansas/LSU game has determined the winner of the SEC West five times (3 for LSU, 2 for Arkansas)

 

bonus reason to watch: Arkansas' RBI girls might feature a hottie or two this year

 

...or not

 

QUESTION --- Going back to the first post of this thread by TF --- Which one SEC coach picked LSU to be #1 at the beginning of the year?