LSU coach Paul Mainieri has shaken up the Tigers lineup in the wake of losing center fielder Chris Sciambra to a fractured vertebrae in his neck.
In fact only three players — third baseman Tyler Hanover, shortstop Austin Nola and catcher Ty Ross — are playing the same positions they were playing when the season began.
The loss of Sciambra, who’s expected to make full recovery but miss the rest of the season season, caused a trickle-down effect that also affected the batting order.
Position wise, Jared Foster moved into Sciambra’s spot in center field, Raph Rhymes moved from right to left, and Mason Katz moved to right from first base. Katz’s move enabled Mainieri to keep left-handed hitting Grant Dozar in the lineup as he moved from designated hitter to first base, opening a spot for another left-handed bat in new DH Beau Didier.
JaCoby Jones, who started the season in center field, could have moved back there, bt Mainieri preferred to keep him at his more natural position at second base.
The Tigers play Louisiana-Lafayette at 6:30 p.m. in Alex Box Stadium. Here are the starting lineups for both teams:
ULL (13-10)
Tyler Frederick — 1B
Jace Conrad — 2B
Dylan Butler — RF
Chase Compton — DH
Daniel Nichols — LF
Ryan Leonards — SS
Jordan Bourque — 3B
Chris Sinclair — C
Brian Bowman — CF
Austin Robichaux — P
LSU (18-6)
JaCoby Jones — 2B
Tyler Hanover — 3B
Mason Katz — RF
Raph Rhymes — LF
Grant Dozar — 1B
Austin Nola — SS
Ty Ross — C
Beau Didier — DH
Jared Foster — CF
Joe Broussard — P
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