 Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi Da Boot Sports 1/28/2022 By: David Penn BATON ROUGE, LA: Jay Johnson is set to begin his first season as the LSU Baseball coach and the excitement is palatable. Coach Johnson stated, “The next three weeks are my favorite time of the year. I think it’s when we can make the most impact on improvement as coaches. There are a couple things we need to do: We need to get prepared and continue to improve.“ Johnson said that the team has done a great job of buying in and that LSU’s newest additions, via the recruiting class and the transfer portal, have done an excellent job of gaining the respect of the returning Tigers. “What I would say has been the best positive so far is the buy-in of the players in terms of what we’re trying to accomplish and their mindset, improvement and development of the group.” Coach Johnson talked about the process of creating the right culture within the team, “Looking at what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to accomplish, putting it into three phases. Number one is creating the identity or what I would call our 'Process of Winning,' and really getting our hands around that and the things that we do to be successful, like mastering the fundamentals that the process encompasses.” Coach Johnson stressed that the team becoming a connected entity is vital to the success of the program and that the players have done a great job at putting the team above their own needs. The players are excited as well, recognizing that the season is fast approaching and have hopes that hard work will pay off. Jacob Berry, the All American sophomore infielder who transferred from Arizona said, “He (Coach Johnson) wants to win any game in any situation and I think that’s what we’re prepared to do this year and I think a lot of people are going to be excited about us putting a lot of runs on the board.” Sophomore pitcher Blake Money expressed what it’s been like working with new pitching coach Jason Kelly, “No team in the country has a guy like JK, the program and the development has been incredible.” Money underwent an offseason conditioning program that enabled him to shed 50 lbs. The 6’4” right-hander reported at an impressive 240 lbs. The focus of the program has been to change the culture in Baton Rouge and it appears as though the coaching staff as well as the players are off to a great start. Every player seemed to echo the sentiments of their new Skipper in terms of focusing on discipline, attitude, and work ethic. Three weeks remain until the start of the Tigers season and Coach Johnson believes that this is the most valuable time he has with the team. “The next three weeks are my favorite time of the year. I think it’s when we can make the most impact on improvement as coaches." Johnson said. "When you have a team like ours with some depth, it may not look the same on Game 10 as Game 1, and that’s ok, that’s part of it. We’ll work at finding that right combination at least at the outset here over the next three weeks and work towards what I would call that best team.” Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi
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