Returning LSU baseball players have fruitful summers

LSU baseball players that participated in summer collegiate leagues are returning to Baton Rouge, ready to begin fall semester classes on Monday.

The Tigers seek to defend its 2012 SEC championship and advance to the College World Series.

Senior outfielder/first baseman Mason Katz played in 20 games for the Yarmouth-Dennis (Mass.) Red Sox of the Cape Cod League, with three home runs and 18 RBIs.

Junior right-handed pitcher Nick Rumbelow had 17 relief appearances for the Wareham (Mass.) Gatemen, striking out 43 in 25.2 innings. Rumbelow and LSU junior catcher Ty Ross are playing this week for Wareham in the Cape Cod League Championship Series against Yarmouth-Dennis. Rumbelow and Ross were members of the West team at the Cape Cod League All-Star Game in July.

Sophomore right-hander Aaron Nola made two appearances for the Harwich (Mass.) Mariners, allowing one earned run on five hits in 11 innings with two walks and 15 strikeouts.

Junior second baseman JaCoby Jones had five doubles, two triples, five home runs, 18 RBIs and seven steals in 35 games for Harwich.

Junior right-hander Joe Broussard posted a 1.83 ERA in eight appearances for the Cotuit (Mass.) Kettleers, recording 23 strikeouts in 19.2 innings.

Senior left-hander Chris Cotton worked 16 innings in three starts for the Lakeshore (Wis.) Chinooks of the Northwoods League, with two wins, a 0.56 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 16 innings. Sophomore left-hander Cody Glenn pitched 59 innings in 14 appearances for the Chinooks, going 4-2 with a 3.51 ERA and 45 strikeouts.

Senior right-hander Kevin Berry was 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA in 38 innings for the Wilson (N.C.) Tobs of the Coastal Plains League, while senior left-hander Brent Bonvillain had 15 strikeouts in 18.1 innings for the Tobs and limited opponents to a .242 batting average.

Redshirt freshman left-hander Christian Trent struck out 39 in 21.1 innings in 18 relief appearances with two saves for the Hannibal (Mo.) Cavemen of the Prospect League.

Sophomore outfielder Jared Foster had four doubles, one triple, two homers, 13 RBI and five steals for the Cavemen in 31 games. Sophomore catcher/infielder Evan Powell hit six homers in 38 games for the Danville (Ill.) Dans and had five doubles, one triple, 16 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

LSU begins its full-squad fall practice session Sept. 23. The Tigers open the 2013 season Feb. 15 when they host Maryland in Alex Box Stadium.