The best part about young talent is when they grow up. Most of last football season, it was frustrating watching Central’s offense go from explosive to implosive and back to explosive over the course of each game.

As I sat watching the spring football game at Wildcat Stadium last Thursday, I realized that I had forgotten just how young the Wildcats were on offense last year. It wasn’t until I started writing down who was on the field that I realized how little had changed on offense concerning the personnel.

While the players on the field were mostly the same, the product looked better. The offense was more consistent, and did not hurt itself. The big plays were still prominent. But, the lack of major breakdowns and mistakes was notable.

Once again, it looks like the Wildcat defense will have to be in good shape because the offense might be scoring early and often. Selfishly, this report is good news from a broadcasting standpoint as big plays are fun to describe on the radio.

Speaking of offense, the LSU baseball team has mastered the ability of just producing enough for wins. It is amazing the difference a week makes. Most people were preparing themselves for a 4th place finish, but with the help of Mississippi State and Auburn, the Tigers are conference champions.

The conference championship is huge in many ways for LSU’s postseason success. As long as LSU wins one game in Hoover, they should be a lock for a top 8 seed (though I know better than trusting the selection committee). Therefore, the most significant benefit of the championship is that is has lessened the importance of the SEC Tournament. Let me explain why I think that is especially important this year.

First of all, LSU has to get Ty Ross back on the field and comfortable before the NCAA Tournament. I don’t think Coach Mainieri would have rushed him either way, but it is going to be easier to ease Ross back into playing as the #1 seed versus the #4 seed.

Second, I love what Coach Mainieri is doing with the pitching staff in game one. The strength of his team is the pitching staff, and he does not have one pitcher on the staff that has postseason experience. By getting most of the staff an inning or two in the first game, he will make sure they all get their feet wet. If it costs the Tigers the game, then so be it. They still have Gausman to start on Thursday, and he won’t be matched up against an ace.

Like I said in the beginning in reference to the Central football team, it is great when young talent grows matures. We have seen that in the LSU baseball team this year as well, and the results speak for themselves.