Baseball is, by its nature and repute, a sport of civility. Decorum is strictly enforced through unwritten rules, celebrations during the game are generally frowned upon and you’re supposed to tip your hat to the nice people when they cheer for you.
There will be nothing civil about Louisiana-Lafayette vs. LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. The two schools, separated by 58 miles of swampland and decades of baseball hatred, meet in a super regional for the first time ever (they faced each other in regionals three times, the latest in 2013). It’s gonna be rowdy.
In order to fully appreciate this series, you have to understand three things:
1. Baseball is a big deal in Southern Louisiana.
The closest big league team is four hours away in Houston, which means the college game is king. The area happens to be a hotbed of high school talent, which has made the local universities some of the best programs in the nation. LSU has six national championships and is looking for its 17 trip to Omaha, while Louisiana-Lafayette is playing in its second consecutive super.
2. LSU draws the largest crowds in the country.
And its not even close. Alex Box has held the national attendance record for every season since 1995 and the place averages 10,000 fans per game. The stadium record is 12,700, and that mark’s in danger of falling this weekend.
3. People in Southern Louisiana are insane.
Ragin’ Cajuns indeed.
So yea, you’re gonna want to watch this game. Let’s get weird, y’all.
Here’s the rest of Saturday’s super regional slate. Every game is on TV and you can also catch them all online at WatchESPN.com.
Cal State Fullerton vs. (3) Louisville
11 a.m. ET | Louisville, Ky. | ESPN2
Why you should watch: After a workman-like sweep of the Louisville Regional, the Cardinals kind of took a back seat to some of the more dramatic opening weekend series. The national media isn’t really talking about them, but with UCLA at home, Louisville might quietly be the favorite to take the whole thing.
(5) Miami vs. VCU
(Miami leads the series 1-0)
Noon ET | Coral Gables, Fla. | ESPNU
Why you should watch: VCU — the only four seed to win a regional — may have lost to nationally-seeded Miami on Friday, but the Rams proved that their pitching won’t be overwhelmed. After the Canes struck for a three-run second inning, VCU two-hit them the rest of the game and made Miami sweat out a 3-2 win. They have what it takes to even the series on Saturday.
(8) Missouri State vs. Arkansas
(Arkansas leads the series 1-0)
2 p.m. ET | Fayetteville, Ark. | ESPN2
Why you should watch: To see one of the best atmospheres in college baseball. The record-breaking 11,869 that crammed Baum Stadium on Friday got to watch the Razorbacks pummel Missouri State by 15 runs, and they’ll be back out in force on Saturday. I’m guessing that new attendance mark isn’t gonna last long.
Texas A&M vs. (7) TCU
3 p.m. ET | Fort Worth, Texas | ESPN
Why you should watch: It’s a classic offense vs. defense matchup. TCU has the second best staff ERA in the country. A&M is top five in home runs. Something’s gotta give.
Maryland vs. Virginia
(Virginia leads the series 1-0)
3 p.m. ET | Charlottesville, Va. | ESPNU
Why you should watch: Can Maryland bounce back from a gut-wrenching Friday afternoon loss that saw their career saves leader blow a three-run lead in the eighth? Not getting a win out of ace starter Mike Shawaryn was a serious blow to the Terps, but they proved against UCLA that their pitching is deeper than most folks anticipated.
(4) Florida vs. Florida State
(Florida leads the series 1-0)
5 p.m. ET | Gainesville, Fla. | ESPN2
Why you should watch: To see if Florida State can make this thing respectable. The Gators destroyed them on Friday night, and it wasn’t even as close as the 13-5 scores suggests. Florida is better in almost every aspect of the game, but let’s see if the Seminoles can at least push this thing to a third game.
Vanderbilt vs. (6) Illinois
8 p.m. ET | Champaign, Ill. | ESPNU
Why you should watch: This might be the best pitching matchup of the tourney. Illinois’ Kevin Duchene (11-1, 1.46 ERA) had an All-American season and Vandy’s Carson Fulmer (12-2, 1.92) will hear his name called in the first round of the MLB Draft.
Louisiana-Lafayette vs. (2) LSU
8 p.m. ET | Baton Rouge, La. | ESPN2
