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LSU baseball was riding high. Then the Tigers took a trip to Auburn.
LSU watched its nine-game win streak end as the Tigers were swept for the first time in 2025. LSU entered the weekend one game back of the SEC's top spot, and now Jay Johnson's squad is 10-5 in conference play.
LSU's resume took a hit, and the Tigers will slip in the rankings.
Auburn got to LSU ace Kade Anderson on Friday night. On Saturday and Sunday, LSU's lineup went cold. The Tigers scored just two runs in each of the series' final two games. The LSU bats couldn't get anything going, and the group is now in the midst of its worst offensive slump all year.
It's hard to find a silver lining from the series, but the sky isn't falling. LSU will remain in the top 10 and boasts a 31-6 overall record.
We'll look at what the sweep means and where LSU baseball goes from here.
LSU will go as Kade Anderson goes. That could be said for most teams and their ace, but it's especially true for LSU.
For starters, there are questions about LSU's bullpen aside from the Tigers' top two relievers Zac Cowan and Casan Evans. If Anderson doesn't pitch deep into a game on Friday, Johnson is forced to use Cowan/Evans or take a risk with an inexperienced reliever.
I also have questions about the LSU lineup moving forward. When Anderson is at his best, LSU only needs three or four runs to secure a win. On weekends the offense falls flat, a dominant performance from Anderson can keep LSU from getting swept.
When we don't know what we're going to get from the rest of the squad, the pen and the bats, Anderson pitching like an ace will be critical for LSU down the stretch.
LSU's top three hitters are among the best in the conference. Derek Curiel is already a superstar as a true freshman. Jared Jones is one of the league's top sluggers. Daniel Dickinson made an immediate impact as a transfer. All three went quiet vs. Auburn.
Jones had one hit all weekend, which included going 0-5 with three strikeouts on Saturday. Dickinson didn't drive in a single run, partly because Curiel and Jones struggled to get on base ahead of him.
The trio combined for just eight hits all weekend. LSU isn't going to win many games without top-notch production from Curiel, Jones, and Dickinson. LSU's offense getting back on track starts with the big three.
Now at 10-5, LSU is three games back of Texas at 13-2. LSU already lost a series to Texas so catching the Longhorns will prove tough. Arkansas and Tennessee are also ahead of LSU.
LSU wants to host a super regional. Any team that finishes top three in the SEC has a good chance of earning a top-eight seed in the NCAA Tournament.
LSU has chances to make up ground in the coming weeks. The Tigers need to handle business at home vs. Alabama this weekend. Then, Tennessee comes to Baton Rouge for a massive series. The winner of that one will add an impressive mark to the resume and be in a good spot to earn a national seed.
LSU won't meet Arkansas until next month, but that series will be in Baton Rouge too. Getting Tennessee and Arkansas at home is big, especially with LSU's road struggles at Texas and Auburn.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU baseball swept by Auburn: Here's what it means for LSU
Continue reading...
LSU watched its nine-game win streak end as the Tigers were swept for the first time in 2025. LSU entered the weekend one game back of the SEC's top spot, and now Jay Johnson's squad is 10-5 in conference play.
LSU's resume took a hit, and the Tigers will slip in the rankings.
Auburn got to LSU ace Kade Anderson on Friday night. On Saturday and Sunday, LSU's lineup went cold. The Tigers scored just two runs in each of the series' final two games. The LSU bats couldn't get anything going, and the group is now in the midst of its worst offensive slump all year.
It's hard to find a silver lining from the series, but the sky isn't falling. LSU will remain in the top 10 and boasts a 31-6 overall record.
We'll look at what the sweep means and where LSU baseball goes from here.
LSU needs Kade Anderson to be perfect
LSU will go as Kade Anderson goes. That could be said for most teams and their ace, but it's especially true for LSU.
For starters, there are questions about LSU's bullpen aside from the Tigers' top two relievers Zac Cowan and Casan Evans. If Anderson doesn't pitch deep into a game on Friday, Johnson is forced to use Cowan/Evans or take a risk with an inexperienced reliever.
I also have questions about the LSU lineup moving forward. When Anderson is at his best, LSU only needs three or four runs to secure a win. On weekends the offense falls flat, a dominant performance from Anderson can keep LSU from getting swept.
When we don't know what we're going to get from the rest of the squad, the pen and the bats, Anderson pitching like an ace will be critical for LSU down the stretch.
LSU's stars cooled at top of the lineup
LSU's top three hitters are among the best in the conference. Derek Curiel is already a superstar as a true freshman. Jared Jones is one of the league's top sluggers. Daniel Dickinson made an immediate impact as a transfer. All three went quiet vs. Auburn.
Jones had one hit all weekend, which included going 0-5 with three strikeouts on Saturday. Dickinson didn't drive in a single run, partly because Curiel and Jones struggled to get on base ahead of him.
The trio combined for just eight hits all weekend. LSU isn't going to win many games without top-notch production from Curiel, Jones, and Dickinson. LSU's offense getting back on track starts with the big three.
LSU is now three games back of the SEC lead
Now at 10-5, LSU is three games back of Texas at 13-2. LSU already lost a series to Texas so catching the Longhorns will prove tough. Arkansas and Tennessee are also ahead of LSU.
LSU wants to host a super regional. Any team that finishes top three in the SEC has a good chance of earning a top-eight seed in the NCAA Tournament.
LSU has chances to make up ground in the coming weeks. The Tigers need to handle business at home vs. Alabama this weekend. Then, Tennessee comes to Baton Rouge for a massive series. The winner of that one will add an impressive mark to the resume and be in a good spot to earn a national seed.
LSU won't meet Arkansas until next month, but that series will be in Baton Rouge too. Getting Tennessee and Arkansas at home is big, especially with LSU's road struggles at Texas and Auburn.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU baseball swept by Auburn: Here's what it means for LSU
Continue reading...
