Lots of LSU problems at midway point

Both Zach Watson and Chris Reid had five at-bats. Zach Hess threw 13 pitches.

Injuries ended the weekends for these three LSU players in Columbia (Mo.). Watson, who had two hits and scored three runs, suffered a groin injury running to first base in his last at-bat Friday. Watson sat out the next two games.

Reid was forced to leave Saturday’s game when he strained a hamstring. Then, Hess pitched to only three batters in the series opener when he injured his groin muscle – not the one he hurt in preseason practice.

So, three of LSU’s major contributors were not a factor in the series at Missouri. It should be no surprise that LSU lost a series to Missouri for the first time since the teams were in the Southeastern Conference. What should be a surprise is the fact that LSU avoided a sweep.

LSU’s team batting average for the series was .234. Only Brandt Broussard had more than three hits – going 5-for-13 with four RBIs. In LSU’s losses in the last two games of the series, Daniel Cabrera was 1-for-8 and Antoine Duplantis was 1-for-7.

With no Watson and no Reid in the lineup, it was imperative that Cabrera and Duplantis would deliver at the plate. Josh Smith was just 2-for-9 in the final two games of the series. After getting three hits in the series opener, Cade Beloso went 0-for-6.

LSU could have used an extraordinary pitching performance from either Cole Henry or Eric Walker in the last two games. Henry provided LSU with a quality start – giving up two earned runs in 6.1 innings. But, his teammates scored just one run in a 4-1 loss.

Walker, who was outstanding in the rubber game of the series at Mississippi State two weeks earlier, was roughed up by Missouri. Walker allowed six runs and eight hits in four innings as Missouri came away with an 11-5 victory.

Outside of Henry, Todd Peterson and Devin Fontenot were the only LSU pitchers who threw the ball well. In LSU’s 12-11, 10-inning victory Friday, Peterson threw three hitless innings with five strikeouts. Fontenot tossed a hitless inning to pick up the save. The staff ERA for the series was 8.31.

LSU put a patchwork lineup on the field for the rubber game of the series. What compounded the situation was the continued lack of production from Duplantis and Cabrera. Both Duplantis (.289) and Cabrera (.290) are batting below .300 for the season.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Tigers this week. LSU will meet Louisiana-Lafayette in the Wally Pontiff, Jr. Classic at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie on Tuesday. Florida will come to The Box for the opener of a three-game series Thursday.

Despite all the problems surrounding the Tigers, they have reached the halfway point of the SEC schedule just one game out of first place. Seven teams are within one game of the top spot in the standings.

As of Monday afternoon, LSU coach Paul Mainieri was not sure if Hess, Watson or Reid will be available for the series against the Gators. The healthy players simply must perform up to their skill level during the second half of the conference schedule.

Obviously, no team has separated itself in the SEC standings. But, the conference is very deep. It is not inconceivable that ten SEC teams reach the NCAA tournament. In these last 15 conference games, the Tigers must do what is necessary to post as many victories as possible. Style points mean nothing.

Here is the remaining schedule for the top seven teams in the SEC standings.

GEORGIA (10-5): Missouri, at Mississippi State, Florida, at Auburn, Alabama

MISSISSIPPI STATE (10-5): at Arkansas, Georgia, at Texas A&M, at Ole Miss, South Carolina

TEXAS A&M (9-5-1): at South Carolina, at Ole Miss, Mississippi State, at Alabama, Arkansas

ARKANSAS (9-6): Mississippi State, Tennessee, at Kentucky, LSU, at Texas A&M

LSU (9-6): Florida, at Alabama, Ole Miss, at Arkansas, Auburn

OLE MISS (9-6): at Auburn, Texas A&M, at LSU, Mississippi State, at Tennessee

VANDERBILT (9-6): at Alabama, Auburn, at South Carolina, Missouri, at Kentucky

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