Tigers like position in Hoover

NWA Media photo by Jason IvesterLSU's Alex Bregman is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning against Arkansas on  April 14 at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.

HOOVER, Ala. — Nothing the LSU baseball team does in the Southeastern Conference Tournament will enhance or diminish the Tigers’ record-setting regular season. It seems highly unlikely that anything that happens in the tourney will have a tangible effect on LSU’s ability or inability to reach the College World Series next month. Nonetheless, when … Continue reading →

Moore gets chance in SEC tourney

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING -- LSU's Tyler Moore fields a ground ball during practice earlier this year at Alex Box Stadium.

HOOVER, Ala. — Tyler Moore hasn’t gotten as much playing time on the LSU baseball team this season as he did as a freshman last season. But that’s going to change during the Southeastern Conference Tournament this week. With second baseman JaCoby Jones sidelined because of a wrist injury, Mason Katz … Continue reading →

Miles, Jones talk about LSU future

NEW ORLEANS — On his way to the Riverside Hilton on Tuesday on the Tiger Tour, Les Miles undoubtedly was tempted to detour by 2600 A.P. Tureaud or 3332 Huntlee Drive in Algiers. Those are the locations of St. Augustine and Karr high schools, both with multiple players the Tigers are recruiting, including five-star running … Continue reading →

Rabalais: No need to worry about Williams

D’haquille Williams decommitted from the LSU football team Tuesday. If you belong to the increasingly small demographic that doesn’t follow — and by follow I mean live and die — football recruiting with missionary-like zeal, this is not going to register as much of a blip on your radar. If you are recruitnik, more specifically an … Continue reading →

Miles still seeking change to SEC slate

Advocate staff photo by PATRICK DENNISLSU football coach Les Miles watches players in the

Les Miles is going to Destin, Fla., next week for the annual Southeastern Conference Spring Meeting hoping to come home with some version of beach blanket justice. LSU’s football coach, Athletic Director Joe Alleva and interim Chancellor William Jenkins have been beating the drum for months for the SEC to do away with … Continue reading →

LSU baseball notebook: JaCoby Jones to miss SEC tournament

Advocate staff photo by CATHERINE THRELKELD -- LSU second baseman JaCoby Jones throws to first base against Auburn in Alex Box Stadium on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

The LSU baseball team bused to Hoover, Ala., on Monday in advance of the Southeastern Conference tournament. Frustratingly for JaCoby Jones, the Tigers second baseman is merely along for the ride. Jones is inactive for the tournament, still recovering from a wrist injury that sidelined him for last week’s regular season-ending series against Ole Miss. Continue reading →

Rabalais: LSU’s John Chavis glad to have a chance to give back

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING -- LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis watches warmups near linebacker Deion Jones (45) and linebacker Ronnie Feist (22) before the LSU-Mississippi State game at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2012.

John Chavis doesn’t really have time for golf. There is always something football-related that can monopolize the LSU defensive coordinator’s attention and dominate his day. Players to coach, evaluate and recruit, or one more film study session as he tries to figure out how to better slow down Johnny Football. Despite his demanding schedule, Chavis decided … Continue reading →

Podcast: LSU baseball

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- LSU catcher Ty Ross, right, and first baseman Tyler Moore, right, watch as Christian Ibarra flexes after his solo home run in the fourth inning of Thursday's game against Ole Miss at Alex Box Stadium.

What will it take for LSU to win the SEC baseball tournament? Is a game against Vanderbilt for the SEC championship a foregone conclusion? What about the Tigers' pitching rotation? Adovcate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff and Advocate sportswriter Les East answer those questions in this "The Advocate: LSU baseball" podcast. Continue reading →

SEC baseball tournament could yield elusive LSU-Vanderbilt matchup

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- LSU's Mason Katz (8) drives in a run in the bottom of the eighth inning against Brown at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Traveling as a devout scribe for Baseball America, Aaron Fitt’s itinerary calls for an escape from the humid climes to take in the Big Ten Conference tournament at the Minneapolis Twins’ home ballpark,Target Field. Yet the college baseball writer’s interest clearly would be piqued by a possible final in the SEC tournament Sunday in Hoover, Ala.: No. 1 Vanderbilt … Continue reading →

SEC baseball tournament preview

Vanderbilt battles Mississippi State in the fourth inning during the Southeastern Conference tournament championship at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala., Sunday, May 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Powerhouses LSU and Vanderbilt haven’t met. The conference arms race is at a fever pitch. Dreams of Omaha soon will be put to rest. As the SEC descends on Hoover, Ala., for the league tournament, these five storylines bear watching: The SEC parrots ad nauseam that its strength lies in parity, but … Continue reading →

LSU’s Rachele Fico’s father dies

Advocate staff photo by BRIANNA PACIORKA -- LSU pitcher Rachele Fico throws the ball to first during the Tigers' 3-0 NCAA softball regionals loss to ULL on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Tiger Park.

A day after the LSU softball team lost to Louisiana-Lafayette in the championship round of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, standout senior pitcher Rachele Fico suffered a far greater loss. Fico’s father, Ralph, died early Monday in a Metairie hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for terminal cancer, LSU spokesman Matt Dunaway confirmed. Continue reading →

ULL ends LSU’s softball season

Advocate staff photo by BRIANNA PACIORKA -- ULL players swarm sophomore pitcher Jordan Wallace and senior catcher Sarah Draheim (24) after the Cajuns defeated LSU 1-0 Sunday at Tiger Park to advance to the NCAA softball super regionals.

After being shut out for 14 innings over two days by Louisiana-Lafayette pitcher Jordan Wallace, the LSU softball team had its best opportunity to scratch out a run and keep its season alive in the seventh inning of the championship game in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional on Sunday. Trying desperately to put something other than another zero on … Continue reading →

Ex-player Dean relates to Tigers as a coach

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING -- Undergraduate assistant coach Blake Dean, left, a former LSU star, hangs out with players including Chris Sciambra, center, and Christian Ibarra, right, in the dugout earlier this year.

When the graduating seniors on the LSU baseball team got their diplomas Friday, they were joined by Blake Dean. It was reflective of the unique position Dean holds on this year’s team as an undergraduate assistant coach. He’s just three years removed from one of the most productive careers in Tigers history, and he joined … Continue reading →

LSU goes on building spree

Advocate staff photo by ADAM LAU -- Fans linger outside the gate of LSU's Tiger Stadium on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, the day before the LSU-Alabama game.

With the closing acts of the 2012-13 athletic year about to be played out at LSU, bats and balls and pads and cleats will be giving ground to construction cranes and concrete trucks. Though LSU’s athletic plant is never truly in a state of completion — the state of the art in facilities being a … Continue reading →

Rabalais: As good as LSU is, still more to do

This is how good the 2013 LSU baseball team is: The Tigers played what was for them an essentially meaningless season-ending series with Ole Miss this past weekend, shelved staff ace Aaron Nola, rested hot-hitting second baseman JaCoby Jones, gave the understudies the starring roles in Saturday’s matinee, and still nearly swept the series. This team … Continue reading →

Torina lauds Fico’s focus amid her father’s illness

Advocate staff photo by BRIANNA PACIORKA -- LSU senior Rachele Fico throws a pitch during the Tigers' 1-0 NCAA softball regional loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Tiger Park.

The end of All-America pitcher Rachele Fico’s four-year career with the LSU softball team was emotional in more ways than one this weekend when the Tigers were eliminated from the NCAA tournament. Fico was a hard-luck loser when LSU dropped 3-0 and 1-0 decisions Saturday and Sunday to Louisiana-Lafayette, which helped the Ragin’ Cajuns take the … Continue reading →

ULL beats LSU to win softball regional

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette softball team took a 1-0 win over LSU on Sunday to claim the title in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional at Tiger Park. ULL sophomore Jordan Wallace pitched her third consecutive shutout in the three-day tournament, allowing just four hits in beating LSU for the second day in a row. Continue reading →

LSU baseball team loses regular-season finale

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- LSU coach Paul Mainieri, right, hugs infielder Mason Katz during Senior Day ceremonies before the Ole Miss game Saturday at Alex Box Stadium.

The LSU baseball team entered its regular-season finale against Ole Miss on Saturday with virtually nothing at stake. The Tigers already had clinched the best regular-season and Southeastern Conference records in school history. They were locked in as the No. 2 seed in next week’s SEC tournament and are seemingly guaranteed to be seeded in the … Continue reading →

East: LSU could be set for another historic run

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- LSU outfielder Raph Rhymes and LSU infielder Mason Katz, right, hug and then leave the field in the top of the second inning against Ole Miss on Saturday May 18, 2013, in Baton Rouge.

LSU spent much of the weekend celebrating its storied baseball past with the dedication of Skip Bertman Field and a reunion of its 1993 College World Series championship team. Arguably the most distinguished coach in college baseball history and one of his most remarkable teams were fully deserving of the spotlight and the remembrances. But this … Continue reading →

LSU to face Auburn-Alabama winner in SEC baseball tournament

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- LSU catcher Michael Barash and Ole Miss hitter Will Allen check on home plate umpire Danny Everett after he was hit by a foul ball in the fourth inning. Everett, hit for the second time in a short span, left the game.

LSU will play either Alabama or Auburn in its first game in the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament Wednesday in Hoover, Ala., The second-seeded Tigers have one of the four first-round byes. Seventh-seeded Alabama and 10th-seeded Auburn will play in the second game Tuesday. LSU’s game will be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of Wednesday’s … Continue reading →

LSU baseball backups get a day to play — and produce

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG --LSU's Casey Yocom connects with the ball to single and score Chris Chinea with two outs in the sixth inning Saturday.

They’ve spent most of LSU’s remarkable baseball season as spectators, but on one topsy-turvy Saturday they were the ones in the spotlight, being cheered on by the players they usually watch from the bench. With the series clinched Saturday night with a 5-4 victory over Ole Miss, coach Paul Mainieri vowed to turn an essentially meaningless regular-season … Continue reading →

LSU softball wins elimination game, scores rematch with ULL

Advocate staff photo by BRIANNA PACIORKA -- LSU infielder Allison Falcon retires Central Connecticut State's Arielle Bruno at second during the Tigers' 11-0 NCAA softball regional victory Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Tiger Park.

Hours after being delivered a punch to the gut by Louisiana-Lafayette in the Baton Rouge Regional, the LSU softball team returned to the diamond Saturday night hoping to earn another shot (or two) at the Ragin’ Cajuns the following day. The Tigers took care of the first piece of business by dispatching Central Connecticut State 11-0 in … Continue reading →

Tigers earn berth

The LSU men’s golf team improved its score for the third day in a row Saturday in the Baton Rouge Regional at the University Club, this time firing a 5-over par 293 to ensure a top-five finish and a qualifying spot for the NCAA championships. The Tigers had finished the first day of the tournament tied for … Continue reading →

LSU pitcher Ryan Eades seeks ninth victory

Advocate staff photo by CATHERINE THRELKELD -- LSU starting pitcher Ryan Eades delivers to the plate during a game against Auburn at Alex Box Stadium. Eades will go for his ninth win Saturday when the Tigers close the regular season against Ole Miss.

LSU junior right-hander Ryan Eades can increase his win total this season to the combined number he had in his first two seasons if he gets a victory against Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon at Alex Box Stadium. Eades, who played at Northshore High School in Slidell, is … Continue reading →

Kimberlyn Duncan, Damar Forbes claim SEC track honors

After leading the LSU track and field teams with winning performances at the 2013 SEC outdoor championships, seniors Kimberlyn Duncan and Damar Forbes were honored Friday as recipients of SEC postseason awards in a vote of the league’s coaches. Duncan is a repeat selection as Women’s Outdoor Runner of the Year, while Forbes was named Men’s Outdoor … Continue reading →

Ashley Czechner powers LSU softball team in NCAA opener

Advocate staff photo by BRIANNA PACIORKA -- LSU junior outfielder Simone Heyward hits the ball during the Tigers' 3-2 victory against Central Connecticut State on Friday, May 17, 2013, at Tiger Park.

The Central Connecticut State softball team was thrown a curve Friday night in the Blue Devils’ opening game of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional at LSU’s Tiger Park. But it didn’t come from LSU All-American Rachele Fico, a Connecticut native. It came from Tigers coach Beth Torina, a standout college pitcher in her own right, in the … Continue reading →

LSU men’s golf team tied for 5th at regional

The LSU men’s golf team took a step toward NCAA championship qualification Friday by posting a round of 6-over-par 294 to move into a tie for fifth place with Coastal Carolina at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional at the University Club. The top five teams after three rounds will advance to the championships from May 27 to … Continue reading →

Seniors carry LSU past Ole Miss

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- LSU outfielder Raph Rhymes, left, meets his teammates at the plate after his go-ahead two-run homer Friday night at Alex Box Stadium.

Senior Day for the LSU baseball team is officially Saturday, but four of the seniors took center stage the night before. Mason Katz started the winning rally in the eighth inning, Raph Rhymes ended it with a two-run home run, Kevin Berry got the win and Chris Cotton saved … Continue reading →

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- LSU baseball players participate their pregame huddle before Friday's first pitch at Alex Box Stadium.

On Deck WHEN: Noon Saturday WHERE: Alex Box Stadium RECORDS: LSU 48-7, 23-6 Southeastern Conference,
Ole Miss 35-20, 14-15. STARTING PITCHERS: LSU — Jr. RH Ryan Eades (8-1, 2.29), … Continue reading →

Video: Mainieri on LSU's big weekend; Skip Bertman 

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING LSU coach Paul Mainieri talks to home plate umpire Scott Cline during one of Florida's pitching changes on Saturday.

This is a big night for the LSU baseball team with the dedication of "Skip Bertman Field" and the celebration for the 1993 NCAA championship team, but Tigers coach Paul Maineri said his players should be able to rise to the occasion and play well despite the extra-curricular activities. Continue reading →

From humble beginnings, Bertman built LSU dynasty

Advocate file photo: LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman at a youth camp.

Anyone who has paid attention to LSU baseball and Skip Bertman knows how his coaching days ended. It was a 7-1 loss to Tulane in the third game of a 2001 NCAA super regional at jam-packed Zephyr Field in Metairie. Not many know how it began: ironically, a 7-1 win at Southern Miss. LSU played 1,203 … Continue reading →

Reflecting on Skip Bertman’s legacy

Advocate file photo by Travis Spradling -- Alex Box, nephew of the late Alex Box, the namesake of LSU's baseball stadium, visits the stadium with his wife, Pat, on June 23, 2007.

Alex Box: Nephew of the stadium’s namesake Alex Box shares his name with his late uncle, after whom LSU’s baseball stadium is named. And starting Friday night, Alex Box Stadium will share its name with Skip Bertman Field in a fitting tribute to two legends of the university. “From Day One, I … Continue reading →

Podcast: Bertman lights up before field dedication

LSU's Alex Box Stadium at night with new signage denoting Skip Bertman Field.

Legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman talks with Advocate Online Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff about "Skip Bertman Field," his love for LSU, his legacy at the university and where he ranks among the greatest collegiate baseball coaches of all time. Continue reading →

Tigers power past Rebels in opener for 7-1 win

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIGLSU pitcher Cody Glenn throws against Ole Miss.

Mason Katz ended a 25-game home run drought and triggered a four-homer night for the LSU baseball team as the Tigers beat Ole Miss 7-1 in the opener of a three-game series Thursday night at Alex Box Stadium. Katz, who found out Thursday morning he would be starting at second base instead of his customary spot … Continue reading →

Hand injury keeps JaCoby Jones out of starting lineup

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG --  LSU infielder JaCoby Jones flips the ball to LSU infielder Tyler Moore during a game last year at Alex Box Stadium. Jones sat out Thursday's game against Ole Miss with a hand injury, according to an LSU release, and will likely miss the rest of the Ole Miss series.

LSU second baseman JaCoby Jones will not be in the lineup for the Tigers’ three-game series against Southeastern Conference rival Ole Miss because of a sore left hand. Coach Paul Mainieri said Jones’ hand had been bothering him for a couple of days and after visiting a hand specialist Thursday morning, rest was prescribed. Continue reading →