This weekend the LSU Baseball team had a massive test as the defending National Champions came to Baton Rouge. On Friday, the LSU Tigers appeared headed to a loss but, the Tigers put pressure on Tennessee leading to a 9th inning walk-off home run by Jared Jones. On Saturday, the LSU offense put up too little too late as Tennessee sent the series to a rubber match on Sunday. The Tigers then took the series win behind a massive game by Derek Curiel and Casan Evans.
Leaving the weekend, three things stand out following a massive series sweep over Tennessee.
Casan Evans should become LSU's Sunday starter going forward
After tinkering with the weekend rotation last weekend using an opener for Chase Shores, Jay Johnson made the full move this week, using Shores out of the bullpen. In his first SEC start, Casan Evans was as impressive as a starter as he's been out of the bullpen all year. Evans gave the Tigers 6 innings allowing just 2 runs while throwing five straight scoreless innings after a rocky first. Looking toward the future, Evans has the ability to be a weekend for the Tigers next season and after showing what he can do on Sunday he should get the ball until proven otherwise.
LSU needs one of its relievers to step up going forward
All season long it's been clear that the Tigers two top relievers have been Zac Cowan and Casan Evans. Losing Gavin Guidry for the season hurts LSU as it would make moving Casan Evans into the rotation a much easier transition. As postseason play approaches, LSU needs one of their younger pitchers to start delivering solid outings as it'll be needed down the stretch. After Evans and Cowan, the lowest ERA out of the bullpen have been Jaden Noot and William Schmidt with ERA's over 4.40.
College Umpires need to let the players show some emotion
This weekend in this massive series for both teams, the umpires stepped in and made a bad impression on the fans. The first case was on Saturday morning as Jared Jones blasted a massive walk off home run over the batters eye in centerfield. When you blast a home run into orbit like Jones did, you should be allowed to admire it but, the umpires disagreed.
On Sunday, Jake Brown crushed a home run to right field giving the Tigers a massive 5-2 lead. When you deliver a home run hit that hard and that meaningful in a key series you should be able to flip your bat but, the umpires discussed ejecting Jake Brown.