A transfer's clutch hitting and unforgettable bat flip ignited the LSU Tigers' dormant offense, securing a crucial series win and SEC Player of the Week honors.
The LSU Tigers certainly haven't had the dominant start to the regular season that they had hoped for, sitting outside of the top 25, but they just won their first SEC series and did it off the back of a breakout performance from a transfer portal addition.
The former Kansas State Wildcat Seth Dardar stepped up his game as the offense got desperate for production in their series win over the Kentucky Wildcats. His performance earned him the SEC Player of the Week honors, despite not playing in the midweek game.
Dardar went 6-for-10 with a home run, four doubles, five RBI and four runs scored in mostly just two games against the Wildcats. It was a glimpse of the player that the team had hoped they had gotten from the Kansas State star.
As a junior with the Wildcats, he slashed .326/429/.636 with 13 home runs, 45 RBI and 18 doubles. That type of production would be game-changing for the Tigers. Instead, he was hitting just .220 going into the weekend.
LSU has not been able to figure out second base offensively. Jack Ruckert doesn't look ready, Trent Caraway hasn't been able to generate extra-base hits and even Dardar was inconsistent.
Now, after this past weekend, the Tigers seem to have new life. They defeated Southern 16-6 in a run-rule victory. That type of output is exactly what the Tigers expect of themselves.
Steven Milam hit two home runs, having just one on the year going into the night. John Pearson hit a home run and had four RBI. Derek Curiel homered. Omar Serna went three-for-four. Dardar continued his hot streak and went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
LSU looked like itself again. A large part of this newfound energy was attributed to a controversial moment from Dardar against Kentucky. In the sixth inning, down 10-8 in the third game of the series, the second baseman hit a no-doubt bomb to give them the game and series-winning lead. He followed it up with one of the highest bat flips in recent memory.
It caused a warning from the officials and some words being exchanged between the dugouts. It certainly got the Tigers' dugout worked up as they eventually won 17-10.
LSU has struggled to begin the year, but they know they have the talent to compete. Perhaps this can be the moment that wakes this team up and they go on a run.