Competition still matters on opening weekend

I got the pleasure of covering one of life’s great pleasures last weekend, the opening weekend of college baseball season.
Even as someone who isn’t a devoted baseball fan (I see its merits, but it just isn’t my favorite), there’s always something special about it.
Baseball and softball are art forms. They are sports that simultaneously reward individual and team efforts. They’re games where you can feel part of a team and completely isolated all at the same time.
It’s still called America’s pastime for a reason. Maybe it has lost some of the steam it previously held in a bygone era. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful game and any time I get the opportunity to cover it is a privilege.
So while sitting at Russo Park during the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 5-2 win over Wright State last Sunday I made it a point to check in on how LSU was doing in its opening weekend.
Apparently, LSU had an opening weekend where it played two different teams with one of them being the Virginia Military Institute. VMI, who boasted a 2023 record of 26-29 overall. And apparently, the Tigers beat VMI 27-5.
That’s an awkward football score. But a football score nonetheless.
It got me wondering this much. What is the joy in opening your season with a tomato can series?
There are reasons for it. Yes, you want to get your team off on the right foot. Yes, you want to play as many guys as possible to see who your dudes will be. Yes, you want to solidify your weekend rotation and see who is up to the challenge.
I get all of that. But, do you mean to tell me that there isn’t ANY team in America who could’ve provided that while providing LSU with at least some stiffer competition?
Was VMI the only unit man enough to step up to the defending national champions on opening weekend?
I suppose that’s a possibility. I also suppose that it’s a smart strategy for LSU to get as many wins in the can as possible before stepping into conference play in one of college baseball’s toughest in the SEC.
That’s all fine and well. That said, there is something to be said for putting your team in an early season spot where they need to be stretched some.
I’m fully aware that Louisiana and LSU are operating in different realms in college baseball. More teams are willing to schedule the Ragin’ Cajuns in a non-conference environment than LSU.
Still, Louisiana found a way to schedule a team that made its way into regional play last season and win two of three games and find itself along the way.
I know LSU will be an elite team all season. All I’m saying is that it would’ve been interesting to see where the early season version of the Tigers stacked up against better competition.
We will find that answer later on, of course.
However, you only get one shot at opening weekend a season. It sure would’ve made for a doozy if Tiger fans would’ve been able to see their team against someone that mattered.