The LSU Fighting Tigers (11-2) take back to the diamond tonight hosting the Purdue Boilermakers in a 3 game set at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. With the lineup and pitching rotation starting to take shape, this is the final weekend for guys to earn their starting spots before SEC play starts next week. Purdue (1-7) continues its early season road journey with a stop in Baton Rouge for the first time since 1950. Purdue won’t play a game at its home stadium until April 4th. Let’s get to know the Boilermakers a little more.

Purdue University Boilermakers
Record: 1-7
Conference: 0-0 B1G
Non-Conf: 1-7

Overview:
Purdue has been nothing short of dominated in this young season, getting swept by Tennessee and Rice by a combined score of 65-9 in those 6 games alone. Throw in 5 canceled games, a loss to Samford, and a 3-2 win over a bad Butler team and Purdue is not off to the start they hoped this season. This is a team that 2 seasons ago finished 45-14 and won the B1G for the first time in over 100 years, then lost out in the NCAA regionals that they hosted. Seven players from that 2012 team were drafted, so turn the page, and the 2013 Boilermakers won just 17 games last year finishing next to the bottom of the conference with a 205 RPI. Moving on to 2014, Purdue is off to a 1-7 start under 16th year Head Coach Doug Schreiber. They are expected to finish near the bottom of the B1G once again.

Purdue Stats (LSU in parentheses)
RPI: 153 (71)
vs Top 25: 0-0 (3-1)
vs Top 50: 0-3 (3-2)
vs Top 100: 0-7 (3-2)

Runs scored/game: 1.9 (7.4)
Runs allowed/game: 9.0 (1.8)

Team ERA: 9.14 (1.51)
Opponent ERA: 1.88 (6.43)

Team BA: .199 (.309)
Opponent BA: .357 (.205)

Team Fielding %: .976 (.981)
Opponent Fielding %: .990 (.963)

Starting Pitching:
LSU will go with the same rotation as last week with Nola-Bouman-Glenn toeing the rubber this weekend. Purdue on the other hand will be mixing things up from previous weeks, looking to try something different to spark their club. Left Jordan Minch is the only returning pitcher from last year with a sub-5.00 ERA (4.98). Things haven’t gotten much better so far for Minch allowing 21 hits in just 16.1 innings for a 6.61 ERA. Coach Schreiber will send out Gavin Downs on Saturday, after their previous Saturday starter has failed to get out of the first inning in either of his first two starts. Downs has been their best pitcher by a mile so far in 3 relief appearances, throwing 15.2 innings allowing 13 hits and 3 earned for a 1.72 ERA. Connor Podkul will get another crack at the Sunday spot after being removed form that spot last week. He has only gone 1 inning in each of his 2 appearances this season.

Interesting Fact: Kyle Bouman has some experience against Purdue as a reliever back in 2012 as a member of the Wichita State Shockers. Bouman threw 2.1 innings of relief allowing 3 hits and 0 earned runs. The only current player to face Bouman in that game is Kyle Upp who struck out swinging.

Friday's Pitching Matchup:
So. LHP Jordan Minch (0-3, 6.61 ERA, 16.1 IP, 21 H, 12 ER, 7 BB, 5 K, .318 OBA)
Jr. RHP Aaron Nola (3-0, 0.00 ERA, 19.0 IP, 9 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 24 K, .136 OBA)

Saturday's Pitching Matchup:
So. RHP Gavin Downs (1-1, 1.72 ERA, 15.2 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, .265 OBA)
Jr. LHP Kyle Bouman (3-0, 1.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 12 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, .197 OBA)

Sunday's Pitching Matchup:
So. RHP Connor Podkul (0-1, 27.00 ERA, 2.0 IP, 3 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, .333 OBA)
Jr. LHP Cody Glenn (1-1, 4.80 ERA, 15.0 IP, 20 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, .357 OBA)

Relief Pitching:
The Purdue bullpen has very few bright spots so far this year and after moving their best reliever to Saturday starter, it has gotten even worse. Leading the team with an appearance in 7 of the team’s 8 games is Mike Lutz. The sophomore right hander is off to a solid start this season with 1.29 ERA in 7.0 innings pitched and 1 earned run allowed. Opponents are hitting a team best .280 against Lutz. The other bright spot of this bullpen is Tim McElroy, who is a situational pitcher, e.g. Nate Fury. McElroy has recorded the team’s only save and has not allow an earned run in 3.1 IP. LSU will face a ton of different arm through the weekend. Joe Eichmann is second on the team with 5 app, 4.0 IP, 4 ER. Other starting pitchers and long relievers are Brett Haan (16.20 ERA, 5.0 IP, 9 ER, .435 OBA), Kyle Wood (297.00 ERA, 0.1 IP, 11 ER, .900 OBA), and Patrick Kenney (45.00 ERA, 1.0 IP, 5 ER, .500 OBA).

Purdue Offense: (LSU in parentheses)
Team BA: .199 (.309)
Team OBP: .292 (.414)
Team SLG: .259 (.435)

Purdue has been pathetic at the plate this season with the exception of a couple of guys. Their team batting average falls below the Medoza line ranking 281st in the country. Two-way player Kyle Wood has struggled mightily on the hill but has been outstanding at the plate thus far hitting for a .357 avg, with 5 doubles and a .974 OPS. Senior leader Sean McHugh is hitting .300 with the team’s only home run and has reached safely in 7 straight games. Kyle Upp has worked his way into a starting role with a team high .444 on base percentage and .286 avg. Despite the incredibly abysmal batting average (.095), leadoff man Cody Strong has reach safely in all 8 games this season.

Purdue Projected Lineup:
1) 2B – So. Cody Strong (.095 avg, 3 R, 6 BB, 2 HBP, 3 K)
2) C – Sr. Sean McHugh (.300 avg, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K)
3) 1B – So. Kyle Wood (.357 avg, 5 2B, 1 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 2 K)
4) RF – Sr. Conner Hudnall (.200 avg, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K)
5) DH – So. Kyle Upp (.286 avg, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 2 K)
6) SS – Jr. Brandon Krieg (.103 avg, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 5 K)
7) LF – Fr. Ted Snidanko (.238 avg, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K)
8) CF – So. Kyle Johnson (.143 avg, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K)
9) 3B – Sr. Steve Maniago (.192 avg, 0 BB, 6 K)

Defense:
Purdue’s defense is the highlight of their club so far fielding .976, and LSU is fielding .981 this season. Catcher Sean McHugh has impressively cut down half of attempting base stealers this season.

Season Stats
Roster
Schedule (via Warren Nolan)

Media Coverage:
TV: NONE
Online: GeauxZone video
Radio: Friday 98.1 FM, Saturday 100.7 FM, Sunday 98.1 FM

PREDICTION: Purdue is a team still working to find themselves, but Baton Rouge isn’t the best place to do it. LSU has started to shape its lineup and is coming off of two strong 8-1 victories. Purdue’s pitching is nothing to write home about and LSU should be able to take advantage of every opportunity this weekend. If LSU pitching can work around Sean McHugh, they should be able to stay out of trouble.
Fri: Purdue 0, LSU 11
Sat: Purdue 1, LSU 8
Sun: Purdue 2, LSU 13

This post was edited on 3/7/14 at 10:08 am