Bayou Brew 3/30: Back In The Box

Good morning. After somewhat of a slow week, we finally have multiple teams back in action today, so let's get into it!

What's steeping in today's Brew?

⚾️ Top 15 battle in "The Box"
🥎 Softball hosts the Purple & Gold Challenge
🐯 And much, much more!

The Voice of Alex Box. You hear him every time you're in "The Box," and now you can hear him on the Hearing Voices Podcast! Bill Franques joins Chris Blair this week to give us his story, some awesome LSU baseball history, and much more.

🔼  Rocky Road. LSU baseball is hosting Tennessee this weekend and it's due to be a fun one. Yes, yes... Tennessee did just get swept by Missouri, but they bounced back last weekend and swept Texas A&M to put them 3-3 in conference play.

It'll be a battle for both teams, but here are the players we'll be watching this weekend...

⚾️ Pitch a fit. One of Collegiate Baseball's National Player's of the Week, Paul Skenes, will be facing Tennessee's ace, Chase Dollander. Dollander was an All-American and SEC Pitcher of the Year last season, but this season has not been his best thus far. He holds a 3.93 ERA and 15 earned runs, giving up 9 in his first two SEC starts. Paul Skenes has been the exact opposite, holding a 0.59 ERA and only allowing 2 earned runs.

💣 Bombs away. The Vols do have the power hitting advantage over the Tigers, boasting 51 home runs compared to LSU's 49. What they don't have is arguably the best player in college baseball right now, Dylan Crews who holds a .542 batting average, while Tennessee's top hitter has a .360. There's just no stopping the Crews missiles.

The series begins tonight at 7:00pm. Chris Blair previews the weekend with Coach Jay Johnson here.

🔼 Purple & Gold Challenge. No. 14 LSU softball is hosting the Purple & Gold Challenge this weekend and will see BYU, NC State, and Louisiana Tech. This weekend gives LSU a break in SEC play before heading to Missouri next weekend. The fun kicks off tonight at 6:00pm vs. BYU!

BYU has a 15-7 overall record and have outscored opponents 131-97. The Cougars can hit the ball well, with five players hitting above .315. The Tigers have only played the Cougars three times in the past and have won every time.

LSU pitcher Sydney Berzon was named SEC and D1Softball Freshman of the Week yesterday after her incredible weekend at Ole Miss.

🔼 Big League Bound. 16 former LSU football players participated in LSU's Pro Day yesterday. All 32 NFL teams had scouts in attendance. Testing included the vertical jump, broad jump, bench press, on-field timings, agility and shuttle drills, and individual position workouts.

Want results? We got ‘em right here.

🔼 Play The Course. Three Tigers are competing in the Augusta National Women's Amateur this week. Latanna Stone finished round one T16 with 1 over par. Ingrid Lindblad finished T62 with 6 over par, and Carla Tejedo finished T67 with 7 over. Round two takes place today, and the goal is to finish top 30 to advance to the final this Saturday. 

Ring chasing. Former LSU football players have been on a Super Bowl contenders roster for 21 straight Super Bowls.

But do you remember how many former Tigers were on the Chiefs or the Eagles rosters this past Super Bowl?

Think you have the answer? Scroll to the bottom of this email to find out.

Did someone send you the Bayou Brew? Well, the first thing you should do is thank them. The next thing you should do is subscribe here and get it in your inbox every weekday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

Thursday 3/30

⛳ Women's Golf @ Augusta National Women's Amateur (Day 2)

🎽 Outdoor Track & Field @ Texas Relays (Day 2)

🥎 Softball vs. BYU @ 6:00pm CT | SEC Network+

⚾️ Baseball vs. No. 11 Tennessee @ 7:00pm CT | ESPNU

Answer: One

Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the only former LSU Tiger on either NFL team in the Super Bowl LVII, and he was holding the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the night as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Have a great Thursday, y'all.