The LSU Tigers got awful news on Tuesday with star outfielder Jake Brown being lost for the season with a broken hamate, but they came together to pick up a 10-7 win over the New Orleans Privateers, though.
With the win, the Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 24-18 on the year. That is not at all the season that LSU saw for themselves. With the recent losses of both Brown and Cooper Moore, it's feeling more and more like a lost season.
One benefit of focusing on the future is that the open plate appearances will go to some younger players, like William Patrick and Jack Ruckert. Both of those freshmen started this game and they both produced.
In total, the Tigers' freshmen combined for 5-10 in this game, with six of the 10 RBI.
Omar Serna is the most exciting first-year player on the team. He earned the trust of Jay Johnson and has consistently shown potential. He had one of the weaker nights among the freshmen, but still went 1-for-4 with two RBI. He's now batting .280 on the season, a great start to the career for the young slugger.
William Patrick has only had a couple of plate appearances in year one, so it'll be fun to watch what he does over the last few weeks of the year. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI and logged his first career extra-base hit with a double. He also drew the first walk of his career.
Jack Ruckert has had a rockier first season, but has showcased a good eye. He's already drawn six walks in 24 plate appearances and still hasn't struck out. He went 2-for-3 with two RBI and is now hitting .278 for the season.
The last freshman to step up to the plate was Mason Braun, who pinch-hit for John Pearson. He went 1-for-1 with an RBI.
Zion Theophilus was the only freshman to see the mound. He faced two batters, walking one and getting the other to fly out. Danny Lachemayer is a sophomore, though, and had a great game. He went 1.2 innings with a walk and five strikeouts.
Getting younger pitchers more innings is just as important as getting the hitters. Pitching has been horrendous for the Tigers this season, so they need to figure out who they can trust next year.
LSU will face the No. 13 Mississippi State Bulldogs on the road this weekend, as they hope to break an SEC losing streak.