LSU series provides golden opportunity

With a record of 11-10 and 0-3 in the Southeastern Conference, the Tennessee baseball team is not off to the kind of start that Coach Todd Raleigh likely hoped for.

After being swept in the conference opener by No. 16 South Carolina last weekend in Columbia, the schedule doesn’t get much easier this weekend as the LSU Tigers travel to Knoxville for a three game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

While the Tigers (17-3, 2-1) boast an impressive resume and have been ranked in the Top 10 for 29 consecutive weeks, this weekend presents a golden opportunity for Tennessee because of its recent success in the series.

The Vols have won the last three series against LSU, winning 2-of-3 games in Baton Rouge in both 2007 and 2009, and winning all three games in Knoxville during the 2008 season.

A series win this weekend could be just what the doctor ordered and would give the Vols momentum for a strong conference run this season.

A fast start may be necessary if Tennessee hopes to win. The Vols boast a 7-1 record this season when they score the first run of the game. But when its opponent draws first blood, the Orange and White is just 4-9.

Considering how the Vols have struggled at the plate at times this season, look for Coach Raleigh to continue to be aggressive on base paths. Led by P.J. Polk with 11, Tennessee has already stolen 30 bases this year — compared to just 39 during the entire 2009 season.

Todd Raleigh’s squad will look to lean on its starting pitchers, who have performed very well this season. In the last 14 games, Bryan Morgado, Steven Gruver, Stephen McCray, Rob Catapano, and Aaron Tullo have combined for an impressive 1.93 ERA. The group has allowed just 15 runs on 44 hits in 70 innings of work.

Steven McCray has been especially impressive. The senior is sporting a 0.89 ERA in 30 innings pitched this season, while allowing opponents to bat a league-leading .163 against him. The key to McCray’s success has been the ability to force ground balls. His groundout/flyout ratio is an incredible 1.69.

Tennessee will likely send Bryan Morgado to the mound on Friday night, Stephen McCray on Saturday, and Steven Gruver on Sunday.

The first pitch on Friday is set for 7:00 p.m. with television coverage by CSS.