Yes, It’s True: Tulane is Better Than LSU
By Dean Mullen
Is it safe to say that the best team in college baseball within the state of Louisiana is — the Tulane Green Wave???
Saying that one statement will not catch most college and baseball analysts that cover the sport by surprise, though it wasn’t all that long ago that it would have drawn uproarious laughter from the LSU faithful.
Not anymore.
Yes, it’s true — Tulane is better than LSU.
At least in 2016, anyway.
After last night’s 4-1 victory at Tulane’s Turchin Stadium before a packed house, the Green Wave swept the favored Tigers in both games this season, a feat that hadn’t happened since 2007. Combined with a 7-1 victory in Baton Rouge last month, the Green Wave an 11-2 run edge in the two games.
The star of the show in both contests no doubt was Green Wave pitcher J.P. France; who allowed only one run in 13.2 innings of pitching in their two games against the Tigers (27-14). The only run that France allowed happened in the game last night, on a balk.
Tulane (27-13) is also 5-1 against the Top 20 with wins over LSU, Southern Miss, and Louisiana Lafayette. Tulane came in at #20 in the latest poll, while LSU was #8. Look for that to change next week when the new rankings come out.
Photo courtesy of Tulane Athletic Department
Said LSU shortstop Kramer Robertson:
“They’ve beaten us twice and they outplayed us both times. They came out here both times with more energy and pitched better than us hit better than us and played better defense than us. So you’ve got to tip your cap to them.”
That quote almost seems to sound like a team that has accepted their place, which appears to be behind Tulane at this point — even if it is considered by LSU fans as the slightest of margins.
This sweep is bigger than just baseball. The only way to gain respect from their counterparts is to simply win.
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Tulane has done it twice, and by large margins. Furthermore, this gives bragging rights for Tulane for a year at least, since the rivals do not meet in either basketball or football.
This is huge step for the Green Wave athletic program and AD Troy Dannen. LSU usually can give the same recruiting pitch (as a perennial “winning” program) to potential players out of high school.
The wins this year by Tulane will help them not only with the baseball program, but could have a snowball effect of helping promote Tulane as a winner in athletics, period.
Uptown New Orleans now has something to celebrate besides “happy hour” at The Boot.
Photo courtesy of Parker Waters, Tulane Athletics
The Green Wave Baseball team has put a stamp on this season and will likely go into the postseason with a NCAA Regional berth. Along with the recent success of the Tulane’s womens basketball team, this can be the start of something big.
After last night, LSU may have just realized that Tulane is still their rival. Let last night’s win allow the rumors to run amok, about Tulane playing LSU once again in football…..