Today is opening day for college baseball. A preseason poll predicts LSU will finish in third place in the SEC West, behind Arkansas and Texas A-and-M. Tigers have a new weekend rotation and must replace their best power hitter Greg Deichmann and starting middle infielders Cole Freeman and Kramer Robertson. Coach Paul Mainieri believes his everyday line-up will be fine….
cut 19 (18) “….can do”
Caleb Gilbert starts on the hill for the Tigers tonight. He’s 7-1, with a 2.16 ERA. In his last 12 appearances last season, he went 5-0 with a 0.84 ERA. First pitch is at 7:00. Game two tomorrow is at 4 PM and the series finale Sunday is 11 AM.

The Ragin Cajuns begin their baseball season by visiting 21st ranked Texas for a three-game series. It’s the start of a tough nonconference schedule for UL-Lafayette. They also play Southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi State, Vandy, Kentucky and LSU, before league play starts March 9th. Coach Tony Robichaux says he looks forward to playing the best teams in college baseball, including the Longhorns….
cut 17 (20) “…practicing here”

Also this weekend, ULM hosts Eastern Illinois, Louisiana Tech visits Pepperdine for a four game set. McNeese State hosts Witchita State, Nicholls State takes on Stony Brook. Game one of that series is on CST tonight.