LSU Baseball: Three Days Out, One Big Question - Can the Infield Hold the Line?
Opening week is finally here, and the defending national champions are gearing up to chase what would be their ninth national title - and third in just four seasons. That’s a lofty goal, no doubt. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Jay Johnson’s LSU program, it’s that expectations aren’t just welcomed - they’re embraced.
As we count down to first pitch, it’s time to dig into the three biggest questions facing this year’s squad. First up: fielding. Specifically, how will a brand-new infield hold up after one of the best defensive seasons in school history?
Let’s not gloss over what LSU accomplished with the glove last year. A .981 fielding percentage - the highest in program history - isn’t just a stat to toss out in passing.
That’s elite, especially when you consider the pressure that comes with playing deep into June. The middle infield duo of Daniel Dickinson and Steven Milam was rock solid, combining for just nine errors all season.
Michael Braswell was a steady presence at third, and Jared Jones - initially seen as a bat-first guy - turned into a legitimate defensive asset at first base. That group didn’t just field well; they hit, too.
Jones and Dickinson were both among LSU’s top five hitters.
But here’s the challenge: outside of Milam, that entire infield is gone.
So who steps in?
Trent Carraway looks like the favorite to take over at third, and Zach Yorke appears to be leading the race at first. Second base?
That’s still wide open, with Tanner Reeves, Braden Simpson, and Seth Dardar all in the mix. John Pearson is also in the conversation at first base, but like the others, he’s known more for his bat than his glove.
That’s the theme here - offensive upside, but defensive question marks. And in a sport where one misplayed grounder can flip a postseason game on its head, defense matters. A lot.
The outfield, on the other hand, is in great shape. Derek Curiel shifts over to center field this season, and with Chris Stanfield and Jake Brown flanking him, LSU has a trio that brings speed, range, and high baseball IQ. All three can handle center, which gives the Tigers plenty of flexibility and insurance in the outfield.
But make no mistake - the spotlight is on the infield. If this group can gel defensively and come close to replicating last year’s standard, LSU’s path to Omaha becomes a whole lot clearer.
Football Talk: LSU Defense Reloads Under Blake Baker
Part 2 of the ongoing Q&A with Mike Detillier shifts to the defensive side of the ball, where there’s plenty to unpack. Blake Baker is back to lead the defense, and that continuity matters - especially after an up-and-down season that saw LSU struggle to find consistency on that side of the ball.
New faces like TJ Dottery and Jordan Ross bring fresh energy and athleticism to the unit, and there's cautious optimism that this group can take a step forward. There’s still work to be done, but the pieces are starting to come together.
Basketball Tonight: LSU Looks to Upset No. 21 Arkansas
Now, let’s talk hoops - and yeah, it’s been a tough stretch.
The Tigers have dropped eight of their last ten, and the frustration is real. Injuries have taken a toll, and defensive lapses have made it hard to stay competitive.
Offensively, the rhythm just hasn’t been there. But even in the midst of a rough season, there’s still a reason to tune in tonight.
LSU hosts No. 21 Arkansas at the PMAC, and while the Tigers are long shots to make the NCAA Tournament, this is one of the few remaining chances to notch a résumé-boosting win. A victory tonight wouldn’t fix everything, but it would keep the door cracked open.
The last time these two teams met, LSU actually led at halftime before freshman phenom Darius Acuff Jr. exploded for 24 second-half points, finishing with 31 in Arkansas’ 85-81 win. Acuff has stayed hot since then, scoring 20+ in each of his last three games. He’ll be priority No. 1 for LSU’s defense tonight - and slowing him down is non-negotiable if the Tigers want to pull off the upset.
With LSU sitting four games back of a top-eight seed in the SEC standings, the Tigers are staring down a likely appearance on the first day of the conference tournament - unless they can string together some wins. That starts tonight. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m., and for the fans still riding with this team, your support hasn’t gone unnoticed.
LSU Baseball Countdown: 3 Days - A Nod to No. 3, Dylan Crews
No one on this year’s LSU roster will wear No. 3, and maybe that’s for the best - because few, if any, could live up to the legacy left behind by Dylan Crews.
Crews was the heartbeat of LSU’s 2023 national championship run, winning the Golden Spikes Award and cementing his place among the all-time greats in Baton Rouge. His stat line that season was absurd: a .426 batting average, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 71 walks, and 100 runs scored. He capped it all off with a four-hit performance in the title-clinching win over Florida.
From the moment he arrived on campus, Crews was special. He blasted a program-record 18 home runs as a freshman, earning national Freshman of the Year honors.
He followed that up with back-to-back SEC Player of the Year awards and consensus All-American selections in 2022 and 2023. When the MLB Draft rolled around, only teammate Paul Skenes kept him from going No. 1 overall.
Crews went second to the Washington Nationals and made his big-league debut in June 2024.
But his impact went beyond the diamond. Crews was a two-time member of the SEC Community Service Team, recognized for his work with families affected by autism. His leadership, work ethic, and presence in the locker room made him a cornerstone of LSU’s culture during one of the most successful runs in program history.
Other greats have worn No. 3 - guys like Jared Mitchell, Andy Sheets, and Kramer Robertson - but Dylan Crews carved out a legacy that stands on its own.
Three days to go. The title defense begins soon.