Imagine it's your first at-bat for @LSUbaseball, and you hit a two-run double… in the TWELFTH inning!
Take a bow, Todd Peterson.
(đŸ“¹: @SECNetwork)pic.twitter.com/KDMSo5CY8x
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 25, 2018
Today we meet LSU pitcher Todd Peterson who after yesterday, is probably now my favorite college baseball player. Let me set the scene: we have a 4-3 ball game in the top of the 12th inning with men on base and a one-run lead for LSU. Todd Peterson had just come in and thrown 5 relief innings and is now due up to bat. Keep in mind, this is his first career at-bat, so his coach tells him not to swing to avoid any freak injury. What does he do? He cranks a two-run double off the wall.
Great story, but let me rewind for a second. During his AB, South Carolina changed pitchers. While this was going on, LSU’s manager comes over and asks Todd if he ever hit in high school. Being the legend that he is, Todd told him hit bombs in high school when in reality, he hasn’t had a real AB in a game since 8th grade. He still tattooed one off the wall.
What’s even better is that his coach literally found all of this out at the post-game press conference.
This is FANTASTIC. Before his big double in his first career AB tonight, LSU pitcher Todd Peterson had Paul Mainieri sold he could hit. Turns out, and to the surprise of Mainieri, he didn't even get an at-bat in HS (video assist: @WAFB9Sports): pic.twitter.com/QS4WevFJoN
— Casey Viera (@Casey_Viera) May 25, 2018
So to recap: this kid hasn’t hit in a game in 7-8 years. He lies to his coach and tells him not only did he hit in high school, but he hit nukes. Then he knocks in 2 runs in a CRUCIAL situation in an elimination game in the SEC tournament. What a legend.
Out of all of this, Peterson’s post-game interview on the field was the best
“What was your mindset up there?” “Go yard.”
OH BABY! @Todd_Peterson3 stepped up big time for the Tigers tonight in extras!
Here us the link for all of LSU's postgame interviews: https://t.co/xA6KeSqm8c pic.twitter.com/6hTfR7UI2j
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) May 25, 2018