STARKVILLE — Having lost 12 of their last 18 games, members of Mississippi State’s baseball team enter this weekend’s Southeastern Conference series against South Carolina in need of a shakeup.
Coach John Cohen is using a hiccup in the Bulldogs’ schedule to give them one. That’s where senior pitcher Lucas Laster comes in.
Laster, a lefthander who leads MSU’s starting pitchers with a 2.65 earned run average, will make the first start of his career tonight in the series opener. He steps in for MSU’s normal Friday night pitcher, Preston Brown, who could remain on schedule for his weekly Friday start with Laster taking the mound in Game 1.
For Laster, the opportunity is a dream come true.
“It means a lot to me,” said Laster on Wednesday. “It’s something that growing up as a little kid I’ve always wanted to throw in the SEC against some good ball clubs. I finally get that opportunity.”
While Cohen said on Sunday afternoon, in the aftermath of MSU’s series-salvaging 3-1 win over Auburn, that Laster’s start would be one of convenience, a spot start that helped keep MSU’s other starters in line with their customary weekend rotations, evidence has mounted that Laster’s insertion into a starting role tonight could be an attempt at changing MSU’s starting rotation for the weekend.
On Wednesday, Cohen was asked if it was simply a move motivated by schedule, or if there was more to it.
“I think he’s one of our best three guys right now,” said Cohen. “Lucas has been very competitive for us so we think he deserves this opportunity for Thursday night.”
The Bulldogs (19-12, 3-6) need a shot in the arm in some form. Though Brown’s season statistics are solid – he’s 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA – the Bulldogs haven’t won any of his SEC starts, and he has given up at least five runs in each of his last two outings. Further, the Bulldogs have lost the opening games of all three series in conference action.
Thus the move to Laster, who has been limited to midweek duty, where he has been terrific. The southpaw has a 3-1 record in six starts and he’s walked just six batters in 37.1 innings.
Laster, who made three SEC appearances – all in relief – last season, was told of the possible move shortly after MSU lost two of three to Auburn.
“They told me on Sunday to be ready,” said Laster. “When I didn’t go in the game Sunday for relief I made sure I got a good bullpen in. So I think I’ll be right on track to hopefully go out and pitch like I’m capable of pitching.”
Good timing
Laster’s initial SEC start couldn’t come at a more crucial time for MSU, which desperately needs a series win. The Bulldogs have lost all three of their conference series so far, including a pair at home to Alabama and Auburn. In those two weekends, contrasted weaknesses doomed the Bulldogs. Against Alabama, a series that saw MSU lead after the seventh inning in all three games, it was a leaky bullpen that gave up 12 eighth-inning runs to lose two of three games. Against Auburn last weekend, the MSU bats went silent, managing just three runs over three games. The first two games, including Brown’s 5-0 Friday night loss, came via shutout.
On Tuesday night, Laster’s usual rotation spot, the Bulldogs were again victimized by poor pitching, wasting a five-run first inning in an 8-7 loss on the road at South Alabama.
Despite the midweek loss, Cohen saw positive signs from his team’s offense.
“I’m proud of our offensive guys, they were more aggressive,” said Cohen. “I thought they got the barrel in a good position the whole game. The best swings we took all night were innings we didn’t score any runs. Reid Humphreys hit the hardest ball I’ve seen this entire year by anybody, he almost knocked the pitcher’s glove off his hand. We had a ton of line drives to the outfield. With a little bit of good fortune we could have scored 12, 15 runs. But we didn’t.”
In conference play, MSU’s struggles have been team-wide. The Bulldogs’ offense has scored just 37 runs in nine games, and the pitching staff has allowed at least five runs in six of the nine.
That’s likely a reason that Laster, who has won half of his starts this year, is getting the call tonight. A year after going 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA during a season that included four starts, all non-conference, Laster is getting the opportunity to shine of the SEC stage for tonight’s 7 p.m. showdown.
For Lewisburg, Tennessee native, the key to his 2015 success has been all about location.
“Working the fastball to both sides to the plate has always been a strong point for me,” said Laster. “This year I’ve been able to locate the off-speed as well, in and out of the zone. I feel that’s really helped.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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