LSU Baseball: 2007's a Wrap, looking toward 2008

After attending the games against Vandy this past weekend I felt LSU played hard all three games but were defeated by a few key mistakes each game and by a very sound and talented Vandy team. This article is a good read from todays Advocate about Corbin's success, view of where LSU is right now and the challenges ahead with a first year coach and program. I've always liked the selection of Coach Mainieri for LSU. After reading Vandy's Coach Corbin thoughts on LSU and what he has done in Nashville reinforces my positive feelings about LSU Baseball being on the right track.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/7604457.html

 

I need a team to pull for in the NCAAs. I guess I'll go with Vandy. I'll probably follow USL of L & Grille, but I don't look for them to get past the Supers. They have a pretty good pitching staff, but I'm sure they'll lose a game they shouldn't. I really don't wish them much success because I can only take so much of the Lafayette paper's love affair with "Louisiana".:dis:
I still irks the hell out of me when their headline says "Louisiana at UL Monroe".

 

I feel like we're starting all over with the baseball program. Recruits are no longer willing to come to LSU just b/c it's LSU baseball. College baseball is much more competitive today and schools are recruiting harder.

IMO, it will be much harder to get back to the top than it was for Skip 20+ years ago. I'm not sold on Mainieri yet, but he is light years ahead of Smoke.

 

You expected a Regional this year?

 

Nope, it's more than that. I was shocked and disappointed with our lack of offense, much worse than it was last year. Players got worse at the plate this year. Defense was no better than last year.

I didn't expect miracles, but I expected more than what I saw. It's way to early to judge him, but he has much work to do.

 

I disagree. At the beginning of the year LSU couldn't beat Lipscomb. By the end, they were extremely competitive against a very good Vandy team. They won series against nationally ranked teams. This team progressed immensely under Manieri. With no change in the coaching staff we would have been lucky to win 10 games.

 

I really like their coach, Tony Robichaux, he's a great one. Did a lot for the McNeese program too. I'll pull for them too, knowing they can't win it all......I just gave 'em a chance to, saying that, I guess.

 

Well, here are the facts...

Wins - 29, lowest since '83. Won 35 last year.
BA - .256, every returning player got worse at the plate ... Hollander, Wise, Mayer, Wags
Fielding - .956, last in the SEC. Last year was .971

I'm not saying they didn't improve during the year. I'm not saying Mainieri isn't the right guy. I'm just saying it was worse than last year, which is really disappointing.

 

2009 will be a breakout year for LSU.

 

Don't get me wrong. I'm not gushing with pride about this year's performance. Wise, Hollander and Wags were huge disappointments at the plate and our defense was horrible. I'm not comparing to last year. I'm comparing the early 2007 to the end. Read Corbin's comments. A new staff will often create problems for returning upperclassmen. I guess I'm not totally "sold" on Manieri either, but that's only because he's new, not because of his coaching in his initial campaign.