Car Modern 2011

The baseball team lost another series last weekend in Starkville, but they at least pulled out their first SEC win of the season last Saturday. Justin Grimm turned in a good performance on the hill and got the win.  Kyle Farmer returned to starting lineup giving us the middle infield we expected coming into the year.  The Dawgs had a 10-2 lead in the 8th Sunday, but the bullpen gave up nine in the final six MSU outs.  That 10-2 lead turned into a 11-10 loss.  The Sunday game reminded me of some games last year where our talent in the pen couldn't translate into outs.  It resulted in some nightmare innings that cost us some easy wins.  State is likely the worst team in the SEC West, but at least we got a win on the road.

No one will be mistaking State for this weekend's opponent, defending national champion LSU.  The Tigers have returned to the nation's baseball elite and are currently ranked in the top 5 of every poll.  Perno has moved Grimm to Friday night, which I think is a good move.  Tonight, he'll face tall, lanky strikeout machine, Anthony Ranaudo, a sure first round pick in the upcoming MLB draft with a 90+ MPH fastball and a nasty curve.  Ranaudo was injured early in the year with a shoulder ailment.  He returned last weekend in Knoxville and pitched two perfect innings.  I'd expect him to pitch more innings in tonight's start.  LSU also has one of the best hitting lineups in college baseball.  Grimm has to pitch well tonight for us to have a chance at a single win in Baton Rouge. One win this weekend would be a big step forward for this team.

Tonight's game will be televised on ESPNU at 8:30 EST.