Tigers try to build on momentum

LSU (14-7) continues its six game homestand at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday as the Tigers play host to Northwestern State (13-8) in Alex Box Stadium.

LSU has won three of the first four games of the homestand, including a victory over Tulane last Wednesday and two wins in an SEC series versus Arkansas last weekend. The Tigers’ homestand concludes at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday when the Tigers face the UNO Privateers.

LSU came from behind in all three of its victories last week – the Tigers erased a 5-2 sixth-inning deficit against Tulane, a 7-6 seventh-inning deficit in Game 1 against Arkansas and a 1-0 second-inning deficit in Game 3 versus Arkansas.

“I was pleased with the resilience we showed in the wins last week,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “I thought we showed a lot of resolve, especially after a tough loss (on Saturday vs. Arkansas). I liked the effort and determination of our players. We’ll need to sustain that momentum because we have a great challenge this week -- both Northwestern State and UNO are outstanding teams.”

Mainieri said that junior right-hander Louis Coleman (0-0) will start on the mound for the Tigers against Northwestern State. Coleman, who has 17 career starts, will make his first start of the season Tuesday against the Demons. He has worked 1.2 relief innings in two appearances, allowing no runs and no hits with three strikeouts.

Coleman and the Tigers posted a 6-2 win over the Demons last season in Alex Box Stadium. Coleman limited NSU to one run on five hits in 6.1 innings with no walks and six strikeouts.

First-year Northwestern State coach J.P. Davis will counter with senior right-hander Ryan Campbell (0-2).

LSU junior first baseman Matt Clark hit .500 (6-for-12) in the Arkansas series with one double, two homers, two RBI and five runs scored. Junior third baseman Michael Hollander hit .400 (6-for-15) against the Razorbacks with two doubles and two RBI. Sophomore left fielder Blake Dean unloaded two homers and drove in four runs over the weekend.

LSU hit seven homers in the Arkansas series, including a walk-off solo shot by designated hitter Matt Gaudet in the 11th inning of Game 1 to give the Tigers an 8-7 win. LSU now has 30 homers in 21 games this season – the Tigers had only 40 homers in 56 games last season.

Northwestern State is led at the plate by infielder Mike Jaworski, who is batting .342 with six doubles, five homers and 17 RBI. Catcher Anthony Jones is hitting .338 with five doubles and 14 RBI.

LSU leads the overall series with Northwestern State, 46-10, as the squads first met in 1937. LSU has won its last eight meetings with Northwestern State, including last season’s 6-2 victory in Alex Box Stadium.

Northwestern State's last win in Baton Rouge came in 1999, when the Demons posted a 12-6 victory.