Day 17: Sophomore #9 Mark Laird

LSU Profile

Mark, as a freshman on last year's team, was an integral part of LSU's successful season. He was in the lineup for his defense but provided plenty of offensive spark at the top of the order especially in the early part of the year and again in the post season. Mark is from Monroe, LA, and his biggest fan is none other than Jase Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame.

2013 Season:

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Played in 63 games (59 starts – 33 in right field; 26 in center field) … batted .307 (74-for-241) with seven doubles, one triple, 18 RBI, 48 runs and six stolen bases … 5-for-9 (.556) in the College World Series with one double … hit a team-best .400 (14-for-35) in all of LSU's postseason games with one double, two RBI and three runs … batted .478 (11-for-23) in five NCAA Tournament games with one double, one RBI and three runs … 5-for-9 (.556) in NCAA Super Regional vs. Oklahoma with one RBI and two runs … 2-for-5 with one double, one RBI and two runs scored in win over McNeese State (April 30) … batted .500 (6-for-12) against Auburn (March 22-24), recording one double and one RBI while scoring seven runs in three games … 4-for-5 vs. Washington (March 10) with one RBI and one run scored; also 4-for-5 vs. BYU (Feb. 21) with one double and two runs scored.

What He Can Do-------------------------------------------------------------

Day 18: Sophomore #55 Hunter Newman

LSU Profile

Hunter is a RHP from Savannah, GA. He's got a fluid, low-effort motion topping out in the low 90s which makes him ideal as a starter. He'll compete for a weekend spot this year, although he may be needed more in a young and untested bullpen.

2013 Season:

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Appeared in 13 games (three starts), posting a 2-0 mark and a 2.55 ERA in 24.2 innings with 11 walks and 16 strikeouts … opponents hit just .160 against him during the year … earned first LSU victory in first career college start versus McNeese State (April 30), firing three shutout innings with one strikeout … defeated New Orleans (May 14) by working five shutout innings and allowing just one hit with three strikeouts … LSU's starting pitcher in SEC Tournament semifinal win over Arkansas (May 25), as he limited the Razorbacks to one unearned run on no hits with three strikeouts …posted a season-high four strikeouts in three relief innings versus Sacred Heart (March 6).

Newman Helps 1-Hit Hogs to Take LSU to SEC Championship

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Hunter Newman, who's season resume really only includes a good start against UNO (possibly the worst team in D1), got the start and performed well above expectations against one of the top 20 teams in the nation. Newman went 4 innings complete with no hits and 3 Ks. Newman gave up a total of 4 walks and 2 hit batters, but was able to handle the pressure.

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Day 19: Sophomore #45 Russell Reynolds

LSU Profile

Russel is a promising RHP from right here in Baton Rouge (Parkview seems to pump out an ace yearly). Unfortunately, he tore his labrum in his throwing shoulder and will likely miss the 2014 season with a medical redshirt. A labrum injury can be a tedious thing which result in one of the more painful rehabs. We wish him a quick and easy recovery!

2013 Season:

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Appeared in seven games (four starts) prior to season-ending shoulder injury, posting a 1-0 mark and a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings with three walks and eight strikeouts … earned first career collegiate win on March 26 at Tulane, limiting the Green Wave to one unearned run on four hits in seven innings with one walk and four strikeouts … pitched five shutout innings in a starting role versus Northwestern State (March 20), allowing three hits with no walks and two strikeouts … fired two shutout innings in first career collegiate start versus Nicholls State (March 13), limiting the Colonels to one hit with no walks and one strikeout.

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Day 20: Sophomore #44 Mitch Sewald

LSU Profile

Mitch is a RHP from the New Orleans area who got very limited action last year as a freshman. He had an excellent summer with a 2.41 ERA, 7 saves, and 30 SO in 41 innings. Mitch will most likely remain a reliever and be relied upon heavily this year out of the pen.

2013 Season:

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Made two relief appearances for the Tigers, posting a 0.00 ERA in 3.1 innings with no walks and three strikeouts … made first career collegiate appearance versus Southern in Metairie, La. (April 9), firing two shutout innings while allowing two hits with one strikeout … worked 1.1 innings versus McNeese State (April 30), allowing two unearned runs on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

This post was edited on 12/30/13 at 8:42 am