The game will be broadcast
statewide on the LSU Sports Radio Network (WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge), and it will be televised by Cox Sports
Television (Cable Ch. 37 in Baton
Rouge).
LSU coach Smoke Laval said senior
right-hander Chris Cahill (0-0, 3.60 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday’s game
on the mound. Cahill, who transferred to LSU prior to last season from
Florida
Gulf Coast University, will make just his second
career start for the Tigers. His first start came on March 12, 2005 versus
Western Illinois.
Cahill has worked five innings in
four relief appearances this season, recording four walks and five
strikeouts.
Second-year UNO coach Tom Walter is
expected to counter Tuesday with freshman right-hander Branon Johnson (0-4, 6.55
ERA).
The Privateers, batting .309 as a
team, have won four straight games, scoring 49 runs in the four
victories.
“UNO can definitely swing the
bats,” Laval
said. “Coach Walter and his staff have done a great job in implementing their
offensive plan. When they add a few more arms to their pitching staff, watch
out.”
UNO outfielder Michael Epping is
batting .401 (57-for-142) on the year with eight doubles, six homers and 42 RBI.
Second baseman Johnny Giavotella is hitting .373 (59-for-158) with eight
doubles, six triples, five homers and 34 RBI.
LSU senior catcher Matt Liuzza
extended his current hitting streak to 11 games last weekend during the Tigers’
series at Ole Miss. Liuzza hit .417 (5-for-12) in the three-game series against
the Rebels with one double and two runs scored. Liuzza is the Tigers’ leading
hitter in SEC games, batting .365 (23-for-63) with seven doubles, one homer,
seven RBI and eight runs.
Senior right fielder Quinn Stewart
increased his SEC-leading home run total to 19 with a pair of dingers in the Ole
Miss series. Stewart hit one home run in five consecutive games from April 15-22
before the HR streak ended in Game 3 at Ole Miss. Stewart is hitting .331 on the
year with eight doubles, three triples, 19 homers and 48
RBI.
Freshman infielder J.T. Wise
continues to lead the Tigers in hitting, batting .350 (55-for-157) on the year
with 12 doubles, eight homers and 31 RBI. Wise is hitting .338 (24-for-71) in
SEC games with four doubles, five homers and 13 RBI.
Wednesday’s game marks the second
meeting this season between the clubs as LSU posted a 6-5, 11-inning victory
over UNO on March 28 at Maestri Field. Designated hitter Jason Ogata’s RBI
double in the top of the 11th inning proved to be the game-winning hit for
LSU.
LSU leads the all-time series with
UNO, 46-30, and the Tigers have won 16 of the last 17 meetings with the
Privateers. UNO's only win in that span was a 5-4 victory in 2003 at Zephyr
Field in Metairie,
La.
Laval has an 8-1 career mark against UNO during
his five seasons as LSU's coach.
New
Orleans
Privateers (22-20)
at LSU Fighting Tigers
(26-16)
DATE/TIME
Wednesday, April 26 – 6:30 p.m.
CDT
STADIUM
Alex Box Stadium (7,760) in
Baton Rouge, La.
TV
Cox Sports Television (Cable Ch. 37
in Baton
Rouge)
SERIES
RECORD
LSU leads, 46-30 (first meeting in
1976)
PITCHING MATCHUP
LSU: Sr. RHP Chris Cahill (0-0, 3.60 ERA, 5.0
IP, 4 BB, 5 SO)
UNO: Fr. RHP Branon Johnson (0-4, 6.55 ERA,
44.0 IP, 30 BB, 40 SO)