Gavin Guidry addresses the possibility of returning to hitting, being a two-way player again

LSU baseball freshman Gavin Guidry has had an interesting journey in his first season with the Tigers. After playing both shortstop and pitcher in high school, Guidry worked as an infielder to start the season but started seeing time as a relief pitcher in March.

Guidry has played a big part in helping LSU reach the College World Series this year, pitching 4.1 innings in the NCAA Tournament so far. He has totaled seven strikeouts and allowed only one run in those innings and even closed out Sunday’s game against Kentucky to claim the Super Regional series, retiring four batters in the final 2.2 innings.

Guidry admitted that he would like to start hitting and playing shortstop again next season, but with the first game of CWS series action coming up Saturday, that isn’t on his mind.

“We’ve just been focusing on pitching for now,” he said. “Whenever the season ends, we’re gonna get back to hitting and taking ground balls and then I’ll be playing summer ball at short.”

Guidry has not recorded an at-bat since March 28 against Grambling and hasn’t been seen practicing in batting cages recently. In total this season, he has scored four runs and made one hit in his seven at-bats.

Still, he told Johnson during his recruiting that he wanted to play in the infield and hasn’t changed his mind. He expects to work as both a pitcher and hitter by the time next season rolls around.

“That’s the plan in the fall,” Guidry said. “Come in, get back hitting, get back playing short, taking ground balls, getting back in shape and working hard at that. Then slowly getting the arm back going and throwing some in the fall, getting my arm ready for the season.”

For now though, LSU needs Guidry to continue his impressive play on the mound. LSU has also got quality outings from the rest of their pitching staff throughout the NCAA Tournament, with a combined seven shutout innings from Guidry, Riley Cooper and Blake Money. They dominated Kentucky in Game 1 of Super Regional play, allowing just four hits in a 14-0 shutout win.

The Tigers enter this weekend seeking their seventh College World Series championship in school history and their first since 2009. They will open action against an SEC opponent in Tennessee, which they took two out of three game against during the regular season.

Start time for the contest between the Tigers and Vols is set for 7 p.m. ET Saturday at Charles Schwab Field.