Under head coach and manager Paul Mainieri, LSU has been consistent in ending the regular season with a winning record. However, the last several seasons have been a disappointment in several phases of the game where LSU has performed poorly. The shadow of Skip Bertman still hangs over Alex Bob stadium waiting to be lifted.
This writer believes LSU has to improve in four areas to get back to the College World Series and be a force to compete for a national championship. It is not good enough to get to Omaha and go two and out like LSU has done the last few times they have been there. By observation and knowing a little about baseball this writer will try to articulate LSU's needs as following.
(1) LSU needs to become a more consistent hitting team in the clutch and not leave so many men stranded on base because they could not hit in those situations. In the last few years it became common for LSU to leave 10-12 (and at times more) runners on the bases and could not push them home.
(2) LSU needs a third starting pitcher, one that can be counted on to win. Both of LSU's starting pitchers missed a few games do to injuries last year and a third starter is a must.
(3) LSU needs a home run hitter. Single or multiple home run hitters who can be counted on to win the game with one swing of the bat. This is the SEC folks and college baseball and LSU needs a home run hitter that can deliver runs
(4) Paul Mainieri needs to do a better job at coaching and teaching and use the sacrifice bunt more often like other coaches do so successfully. That puts people in scoring position. Mainieri has not done that and it has cost LSU. Executing the basics of the game never goes out of style and it wins games, especially the close ones.
This writer will be looking to see if Mainieri and LSU produce the four needs alluded to here in. Time will tell.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
