LSU vs. Purdue - Fort Wayne Feb. 15th Recap
Bryce Duhon • February 15, 2025
78°. Cloudy. A brisk wind towards centerfield. This was the recipe for another dominant performance by the LSU Fighting Tigers on Saturday. After a 14-0 shutout on Friday of Purdue - Fort Wayne, the #2 ranked Tigers found their way to a Saturday W by routing the Mastodons 10-1. Rocking the beloved all-white with pinstripes, LSU sent 11,000 fans home happy as they move to 2-0 on the season.
UC - San Diego transfer Anthony Eyanson got the nod on the mound. The 6’2 right-handed junior didn’t have the fastest start to the game, hitting one batter in the 1st, and allowing two hits in the 2nd. However, he also showed why Jay Johnson brought him to Baton Rouge. His fastball lived in the mid-90’s, and he was able to get out of multiple jams. While he didn’t peform at the same level Kade Anderson did on Friday, he still heavily impressed in his first start in a Tiger uniform. In all, Eyanson saw 5.0 innings, struck out 6, allowed 4 hits, and no walks. In relief, junior Connor Benge came out firing. Going 1 and 2/3 innings, the Dallas Baptist transfer struck out three and walked one on base. He was relieved by sophomore DJ Primeaux. Primeaux was lights out in his season debut, striking out three batters before handing the ball to freshman Mavrick Rizy. The new man on campus made it look effortless, closing out the game with three quick outs, including 2 K’s and securing the win for LSU.
At the plate, the Tigers continued their Friday onslaught. Utah Valley transfer and starting 2B Daniel Dickinson gave the Tigers their first home run of the season in the 1st inning, bringing home Bear Jones who walked the previous at-bat. After that, it wouldn’t be until the 5th inning that LSU would score again. However, they more than made up for that scoring drought. Back-to-back homers by Derek Curiel and Jared Jones brought across three runs for the home team. The hits continued as Ethan Frey started off the 6th with a single. Josh Pearson walked right after, and Michael Braswell brought Pearson across with an RBI double. The Tigers added on two runs in the 7th after PFW pitching fell apart, walking one home and allowing another run on a wild pitch. Ashton Larson pinch hit for Braswell, and hit a 2-RBI single through the middle of the infield to give LSU back-to-back days of double digit runs. Plate vision was the story as LSU walked 7 times, not including their 4 times hit by pitch, and didn’t go down on strikes until the 5th inning.
The Tigers transfer class came to play to start the season, which is all you can ask for their first weekend in Alex Box. Between Eyanson and Benge’s powerful performances as well as Dickinson’s early homer, you can tell Jay Johnson and his staff were intentional in the portal. Even Auburn transfer Chris Stanfield got in on the action, showing off his next-level speed beating out a grounder to the shortstop in the 5th and stealing a bag in the 7th.
As for the freshmen, Derek Curiel showed why he was hailed as the Preseason SEC Freshman of the Year. A 2-out homer sparked some life into the Tigers and elicited a huge reaction from Alex Box. He had expectations coming into this year, and he met them on Saturday.
The 2-0 Tigers will finish their series with the Mastodons on Sunday. Look for Chase Shores to take the mound and for the Tigers continue with their bats on fire.
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Discussing how the Pelicans get into the lottery & a few prospects to keep in mind.
Tulane Green Wave fans have plenty to celebrate this cycle and previous. According to the latest 247Sports composite rankings, the Green Wave have landed the two highest-rated recruits in program history for the Class of 2026, and they’re not just any two prospects. Tylan George, the massive interior offensive lineman from West Monroe High School in Louisiana, sits at No. 1 with a 0.8939 rating. The 6’3”, 310-pound 4-star prospect has been a dominant force on the offensive line, earning praise for his pancake block totals and elite strength (515-pound squat, 315 bench as a junior). George brings immediate size, power, and local pride to an offensive line room that’s hungry for impact talent. Right behind him at No. 2 is Jordyn Crites, the 6’6”, 255-260 pound defensive lineman from Friendswood High School in Texas. Crites recently earned his 4-star upgrade and a 0.8926 composite, making him one of the most athletic and long defensive linemen in the class (83-inch wingspan, 4.8 forty, 530-pound squat). He played both defensive end and tight end in high school and brings versatility, length, and upside that fits perfectly in Will Hall’s defensive scheme. Together, George and Crites represent a seismic shift in Tulane recruiting. Not only are they the top two in the 2026 class, but their ratings mark a new ceiling for what the Green Wave can attract. One bolsters the trenches on offense with mauling power; the other adds length and explosiveness on defense. Both have potential to contribute early and raise the floor (and ceiling) for their respective position groups. This isn’t just a good class, it’s a statement. Tulane is no longer just competing for regional talent; they’re landing blue-chip prospects who have Power conference offers and are choosing to build something special in New Orleans. The Green Wave are trending up, and these two are the new faces of that ascent. #RollWave #RMFW Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X