When Josh Pearson’s name was called, he was ready.
The veteran outfielder was tabbed to bat leadoff in Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional vs. West Virginia. The move was one of several lineup adjustments made by head coach Jay Johnson as the Tigers prepared to face lefty Griffin Kirn. The shuffle included moving Derek Curiel, the typical leadoff man, to the No. 7 hole.
Johnson was rewarded for the move with Pearson and Curiel having big days, combining for nine of LSU’s 16 RBI. Pearson had two of LSU’s biggest hits. He started the rally in the fifth with a leadoff single. The next inning, he hit a grand slam.
Seeing Pearson’s name atop the lineup caught some by surprise. Pearson saw just four AB’s in LSU’s regional and had just two hits since May 4. That’s usually not the resume of a leadoff hitter in a Super Regional with a trip to Omaha on the line.
But Johnson had no doubts.
“He’s a good player. He’s a good hitter. Character, makeup, toughness, raised right, best parents in the world,” Johnson said.
It can be tough for rotational players to find a rhythm being in and out of the lineup — but not for Pearson.
“He’s always ready when we call his name,” Johnson said, “He had a good series at South Carolina. He started two of those games. He’s the best. He’s just the best.”
Pearson said Johnson texted him on Friday night to tell him he would be in the lineup, but Pearson didn’t learn he was batting leadoff until he showed up at the ballpark.
“Really, nothing changes. Every day, I kind of show up to the field as if I would be in the lineup at some part of the lineup,” Pearson said.
Pearson has been around for a long time. He’s one of the few holdovers from LSU’s 2023 national title team and has been with Johnson since the start at LSU.
“Will be odd not having him here. I mean, because that’s my only guy. I mean, the four years together, like, that’s it,” Johnson said.
Curiel, a standout true freshman, took a liking to Pearson early.
“I’m super proud of Josh,” Curiel said, “Josh has been a leader on this team since day one, since I’ve gotten here. He kind of taught me the ropes, you know, and I look up to him a lot. Two years ago, last year, watching him on TV, I wanted to be his teammate. I wanted to be his friend and he’s been like a brother to me.”
If that was Pearson’s final game at Alex Box Stadium, it was a heck of a way to go out. But with the way Pearson swung the bat on Saturday, don’t be surprised if he gets a chance to do more damage on Sunday.
“It’s been awesome. These have been the most fun four years of my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m going to miss the box. I’m going to miss playing in the box. We’ve still got one game tomorrow, so we’re going to make the most of it for sure.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Josh Pearson cements legacy in Game 1 of LSU baseball’s super regional