The highly anticipated LSU-Tennessee baseball game is set to kick off this weekend with a thrilling series between the No. 4 LSU Tigers and the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers. The start time of Friday night's game has been pushed to 9:50 p.m. CT due to inclement weather in the Baton Rouge area, disrupting the original 6:30 p.m. CT schedule.
This exciting matchup will take place at the iconic Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a capacity of 10,718 passionate fans. The LSU Sports Radio Network will broadcast the game, and fans can also catch the action via live streaming on SEC Network +.
Both teams boast impressive rankings, with LSU ranked No. 4 by Baseball America, No. 5 by USA Today, and No. 7 by D1 Baseball, while Tennessee holds the No. 5 spot in Baseball America, No. 6 in USA Today, and No. 6 in D1 Baseball.
The series will comprise three games, scheduled as follows:
– Friday, April 25 at 9:50 p.m. CT
– Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. CT
– Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. CT
Fans can tune in to the games through various mediums: SEC Network + will stream Friday's game, ESPNU will televise Saturday's game, and Sunday's game will be broadcast on SEC Network.
Exciting special events and promotions are lined up for the weekend, offering fans a memorable experience. On Friday, the 50-year anniversary of LSU Baseball's 1975 SEC Championship will be celebrated, with members of the '75 team being honored before the first pitch. Saturday will feature LSU legend Skip Bertman signing copies of his biography and celebrating the 25-year anniversary of LSU Baseball's 2000 National Championship. Sunday's game will treat the first 2,000 fans to a free LSU Baseball hat courtesy of LA Blue, with rising country artist Timothy Wayne throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
The historical matchup between LSU and Tennessee sees LSU leading the all-time series 62-33. Despite Tennessee's recent success, winning four consecutive games against LSU, the Tigers have a strong track record against the Volunteers, including a victorious SEC series in 2023 and triumphs in the 2023 College World Series.
Pitching matchups for the series are as follows:
Game 1:
– LSU: So. LH Kade Anderson
– UT: Jr. LH Liam Doyle
Game 2:
– LSU: Jr. RH Anthony Eyanson
– UT: Jr. RH Marcus Phillips
Game 3 matchups are yet to be announced.
Head coach Jay Johnson has expressed his confidence in the team's ability to overcome challenges and focus on upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of resilience and forward momentum. The Tigers are currently tied for third place in the SEC standings with Tennessee, showcasing impressive stats in batting average, on-base percentage, hits, and pitching efficiency.
LSU's players have been delivering standout performances, with junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson and freshman outfielder Derek Curiel making significant contributions to the team's success. Eyanson's pitching prowess and Curiel's consistency at the plate have been instrumental in LSU's victories.
On the other side, Tennessee, the reigning 2024 College World Series champion, presents a formidable opponent with a strong offensive lineup led by Gavin Kilen and Hunter Ensley. The Volunteers excel in batting average, home runs, and pitching efficiency, with left-hander Liam Doyle leading the SEC in strikeouts.
As the LSU Tigers gear up to face the Tennessee Volunteers in this crucial series, fans can expect a thrilling display of skill and determination from both teams. The rich history and competitive spirit between these SEC powerhouses promise an action-packed weekend of college baseball at its finest.