Tag: lsu baseball

Ole Miss extends Mike Bianco in midst of LSU coaching search

Mike Bianco won’t be headed to LSU.

Mike Bianco won’t be LSU baseball’s next head coach as the program looks to replace Paul Mainieri.

Bianco interviewed with LSU recently for the position, as did East Carolina coach Cliff Godwin. Neither were offered after the interview.

Bianco made his commitment clear in a statement released by the school in wake of his contract extension.

“Ole Miss is home for me and my family, and I am committed to bringing championships to Oxford,” Bianco said. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished over the past 21 years, and I look forward to building on that foundation and achieving new levels of success.”

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According to the statement, Bianco’s contract extension is four years, the maximum length.

“Mike Bianco is our head coach, and with his contract extended to the maximum four years, we look forward to seeing him lead Ole Miss to new heights,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said in the statement.

“We understand that the consistent success of our program will generate interest from other schools, and with any coach, there can be personal factors that come into play. Mike and I have been in constant contact and have been able to privately sort fact from fiction.”

Bianco was a part of the LSU coaching search from the beginning of the process, according to a report from The Advocate.

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LSU has reportedly interviewed two candidates for baseball coaching job

The Tigers aren’t pulling the trigger just yet as they seek their next baseball coach.

Much speculation has surrounded the LSU baseball coaching search since Paul Mainieri’s retirement.

According to a recent report from Glen Guilbeau of The Daily Advertiser, the Tigers have interviewed two candidates — Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco and East Carolina coach Cliff Godwin.

No offer was extended.

But the search is far from limited to Bianco and Godwin. It has also been reported that LSU is looking into coaches still contending in the College World Series.

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These names include Arizona coach Jay Johnson, Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin and Tennessee coach Tony Vitello. This is the first time Vitello, whose Volunteers recently sent the Tigers packing in the Knoxville Regional, has had his name tied to the opening at LSU.

It’s clear based on this that LSU is taking its time to make the right hire and that it could be roughly two weeks before we hear of any final decision.

It will be interesting to see how things continue to shake out as the program continues to look for its next head coach after also recently losing hitting coach Eddie Smith to Utah Valley and recruiting coordinator Nolan Cain to Texas A&M.

Regardless of the ultimate decision, this will mark the start of a very different era in Baton Rouge.

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LSU falls 4-2 to Tennessee in Game 1 of Knoxville Super Regional

LSU fell short in super regional competition in Knoxville on Saturday.

The Tigers fell to the Vols 4-2 in Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional on Saturday night.

LSU was off to a strong start in Knoxville with pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard keeping the Vols mostly quiet through a significant five innings of pitching in Game 1.

With a one-run lead going into the sixth, and Hilliard pitching a solid game –the Tigers made the fatal mistake of relieving Hilliard with freshman left-hander Javen Coleman.

Coleman is known to be a play maker, but tonight just wasn’t his night.

Coleman had a stand-out performance last week in the regional against Oregon — holding the Ducks to one run on three hits in six innings with six strikeouts.

However, tonight’s matchup was a different vibe. Coleman retired the first batter he faced in the difference-making sixth, before walking Max Ferguson and giving up a double to Jake Rucker.

Gilbert scored the final run of the game on a Jordan Beck single to right field.

Why try to fix something that’s not broken? Hilliard was on the money tonight.

LSU scored one earned run against Tennessee pitcher Chad Dallas, in what was a solo home run from Cade Doughty.

Although tonight didn’t go exactly as planned at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the  Tigers have another chance to redeem themselves with a win in Game 2 of the best-of-three series Sunday at 3 p.m.

LSU plays its best ball in elimination games anyway. Tiger nation has high hopes that tomorrow won’t be the end of the road for the ‘Road Dogs’ and CPM.

Time to claim it.

 

 

Tennessee head baseball coach responds to criticism regarding fan behavior

The Vols head baseball coach had some thoughts to share.

2021 NCAA Tournament Knoxville Super Regional kicks off Saturday, June 12 with the Tennessee Vols hosting the LSU Tigers.

Both teams met up in a regular season matchup, and things didn’t end well for the Tigers. LSU lost all three games played that weekend, and head coach Paul Mainieri publicly voiced his frustration.

A large part of the issues he addressed was the behavior of the fans and players throughout the series.

Shortly after the series hosted in the Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Mainieri says in an interview his team played in “an extremely hostile environment.” He goes on to say the fans and players were “nasty” throughout the weekend.

“The other team was not handling things with a lot of class, quite frankly,” he said.

Now the Tigers prepare to meet the Vols in Knoxville once again, and this time, a ticket to the College World Series is at stake.

It’s no surprise Tennessee’s head coach Tony Vitello was asked to comment on this situation, and Vitello stood by his players and fans. In fact, Vitello encouraged fans to show up and be even more rowdy than the last time.

“You know, about this coming weekend, if it’s anything like last weekend, make it that,” Vitello said. “So if you want to call that nasty, make it that.”

In the last meeting between the Tigers and Vols, fans were at limited capacity, only allowing 3,689 fans inside the stadium. This time, more fans will be in attendance for every game, and Vitello is hoping to use that to his team’s advantage.

Vitello also acknowledges the SEC as having some of the largest, nicest, and rowdiest stadiums in the country, and he believes although his team won’t have the nicest and biggest stadium, he knows they can at least bring the noise.

“I think what we’ve got going on is our fans are trying to compete with what goes on at Baum Stadium or Alex Box Stadium or down in Starkville,” Vitello said.

Vitello continues his response by acknowledging how much easier it can be to pinpoint exactly what an individual is saying in a smaller crowd.

“You had a smaller crowd then, so you can hear the exact words people are saying with those smaller COVID crowds, and you had a group of five or six guys that probably had some pops in ‘em all over [LSU first baseman] Tre’ Morgan at first base,” Vitello said.

Vitello still shares his respect for head coach Paul Mainieri, and the matchup this time should be even more interesting and entertaining than the last.

LSU-Tennessee Knoxville Super Regional schedule announced

LSU faces Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament super regional.

It wasn’t long ago that LSU baseball looked like a lifeless team that may have been sent packing by Day 2 of the Eugene Regional.

But the Tigers bounced back, most recently recording a 9-8 win over the Oregon Ducks.

Now, No. 3 national seed Tennessee (48-16) will host LSU (38-23) in the NCAA Tournament super regional.

Tennessee was victorious in all three days of the Knoxville Regional, taking down Wright State and Liberty twice.

The Tigers are going to have to play their best baseball against the Vols, and they face quite the challenge. They were swept by Tennessee in the regular season at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Here’s a look at the schedule for the super regional between Tennessee-LSU.

LSU baseball clinches spot in NCAA tournament

LSU baseball is headed to the NCAA tournament.

The NCAA revealed the list of 64 teams who claimed a spot in the tournament on Monday, and LSU made the cut. The Tigers are headed to the Eugene Regional and will take on Gonzaga on Friday, June 4, at 9 p.m.

Although the Tigers finished the season 13-17 in Southeastern Conference play, they were faced with one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA. LSU had a top-five strength of schedule and top 30 RPI, and that was just enough to clinch a spot in the tournament.

LSU also finished the regular season 34-22 and received an at-large bid. Oregon, Central Connecticut and Gonzaga will all be in regional competition.

LSU will open the Eugene Regional with the No. 3 seed and will try to defeat the No. 2 seeded Zags.

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The winner of each regional will play in the super regional a week later with a chance to reach the College World Series.

This decision came shortly after head coach Paul Mainieri, who officially ends his career after the postseason, announced his retirement.

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LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri announces retirement after 15 record-breaking seasons

Mainieri is leaving LSU baseball at the conclusion of this season.

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri announced his retirement after 15 impressive seasons serving as the Tiger’s head coach.

Mainieri joined the team back in 2007, but in no ways was this his first rodeo. The Louisiana legend is currently completing his 39th year overall as a head coach throughout his long and notable career. 

Prior to his LSU successes, Mainieri coached at St. Thomas University from 1984-88, Air Force from 1989-94, and Notre Dame from 1995-06.

Some of his most noteworthy accomplishments include leading the team to the 2009 College World Series national championship and five CWS appearances. 

In his time at LSU, Coach put up a staggering 637 game wins-securing him the No.1 spot on the list for active NCAA coaches and No.9 all-time NCAA wins. He is one of six coaches in NCAA history to have won over 1,500 games as well as a national championship. 

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Under Mainieri’s guidance, the Tigers made nine super regional appearances and five College World Series. With his 1501 wins, the legendary coach has the third-highest winning percentage in LSU history.

Mainieri isn’t the only record-breaking coach LSU has seen in the past few decades. Following coach Skip Bertman and coach Ray Tanner, he had a lot to live up to-and he most definitely did not disappoint Tiger nation. He took the pressure with stride and class like no other. 

“Make no mistake about it, the goal is to return LSU to the pinnacle position in college baseball,” Mainieri said in his first presser after being announced head coach back in 2006.

“I have all the confidence in the world that we can do that here.”

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Coach Paul Mainieri will go down in histroy as one of the most prominent coaches Baton Rouge has ever seen, his legacy will live on for years and years to come. 

“Today is a day of celebration,” Athletic Director Scott Woodward wrote.

“Coach Mainieri’s career is one that others will strive to match, yet few will succeed. His dedication to the sport of baseball and to LSU has been, and will continue to be, unwavering, and we are forever grateful; to him for his commitment to excellence at LSU.”

Not only did CPM contribute to the success of LSU Baseball, he could also be seen speaking to various classes as a motivator and mentor. He will truly be missed on campus. 

Who knows, maybe we’ll see an SEC Network documentary on Mainieri next.

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LSU baseball snaps losing streak in win over McNeese State

After losing three consecutive games to No. 2 Vanderbilt to fall to 17-11 on the season, the LSU baseball team picked up a much-needed win.

After losing three consecutive games to No. 2 Vanderbilt to fall to 17-11 on the season, the LSU baseball team picked up a much-needed win on Wednesday with a 14-1 victory over McNeese State.

Sophomore third baseman Cade Doughty went four of five at the plate, driving in four runs for the Tigers.

LSU freshman right-hander Garrett Edwards started the game, pitching two scoreless innings, and was credited with the win. Edwards moves to 1-2 on the season. He was one of seven LSU pitchers in the game.

After the win, LSU coach Paul Mainieri was relieved to pick up a win.

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“It feels great to get a win, especially after a tough weekend,” Mainieri said. “You don’t always know how the kids are going to respond when setbacks happen, and I was concerned because we were playing a very good McNeese team. But, I’m proud of the way we competed tonight, and we earned a nice win.”

Before the win, LSU had lost six of its previous seven games, falling to 1-8 in SEC play.

The Tigers are back on the road Friday when they face Kentucky in a three-game series.

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LSU pitcher Jaden Hill will miss the rest of the season

LSU right-hander Jaden Hill was supposed to have a breakout season in 2021.

LSU right-hander Jaden Hill was supposed to have a breakout season in 2021. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and Hill’s season is over after just seven appearances for the Tigers.

LSU coach Paul Mainieri said on Monday that Hill suffered a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow.

The 6-foot-4, 234-pound junior from Ashdown, Arkansas, made seven starts for LSU in 2021, recording a 6.67 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He was 2-3 on the season. Hill struck out 25 batters in 29.2 innings pitched.

Mainieri released a statement on the disappointing news.

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“It’s heartbreaking for all of us to receive this news,” Mainieri said, “but it’s especially disappointing for Jaden as a young man who has such a bright future in baseball. We will do everything we can to support Jaden in his return to full health. He has a tremendous work ethic, and I’m very confident he will overcome this setback.”

The LSU baseball team is currently 17-11 on the season, but just 1-8 in SEC play. The Tigers have lost six of their last seven games.

LSU returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts McNeese State.

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LSU baseball falls to Vanderbilt, drops to 1-8 in SEC play

The No. 2 Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the LSU Tigers, 5-4, on Saturday at Alex Box Stadium to sweep the series. 

The No. 2 Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the LSU Tigers, 5-4, on Saturday at Alex Box Stadium to sweep the series.

The loss drops LSU to 17-11 on the season and 1-8 in SEC play.

After being blown out in the first two games of the series, LSU was in this one through six innings.

In the top of the seventh inning, Vanderbilt left fielder Jack Bulger broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run home run over the left-field wall to give Vanderbilt a lead it would never relinquish.

The Tigers would score another run in the bottom of the ninth inning when left fielder Gavin Dugas scored first baseman Tre Morgan on a sacrifice fly. Unfortunately, LSU came up just short as Drew Bianco was stranded on third base to end the game.

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Freshman right-hander Garrett Edwards took the loss for LSU and is now 0-2 on the season.

After the game, LSU coach Paul Mainieri discussed how good of a team Vanderbilt is.

“Vanderbilt really has no weaknesses; they’re an unbelievable team,” Mainieri said. “It’s one of the best teams I’ve seen Vanderbilt have in the 15 years I’ve been at LSU.

The Tigers are back in action on Tuesday when McNeese State visits Alex Box Stadium. LSU returns to SEC play next Friday when it travels to Kentucky for a three-game series.

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