BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU pitcher Louis Coleman continues to ring up milestones and honors as well as opposing batters.
The Tiger senior, a Pillow Academy product out of Schlater, recorded a complete-game shutout in a 5-0 win over Arkansas last Saturday. It was the first shutout by an LSU pitcher since Greg Smith blanked Vanderbilt 3-0 on May 1, 2005, in Nashville.
Coleman improved to an SEC-best 9-2 on the mound as he allowed just two hits while striking out six.
And on Monday, Coleman was named SEC Pitcher of the Week - marking the second time he has earned this honor this season.
Coleman overpowered the Razorbacks in a game that ended after 11 p.m. because of a five-hour rain delay Saturday afternoon in the second game of a doubleheader.
Only three Arkansas batters reached base against Coleman. After surrendering a single to start the second inning, Coleman retired 19 straight Razorback hitters before Arkansas recorded its second hit with one out in the eighth inning.
"He (Coleman) gave us a great performance when we needed it the most," LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. "He's done that all year for us.
"I can't tell you how many of his wins have come following a loss. He keeps us from having a losing streak."
He dropped his ERA to 2.71, which is tops in the SEC. He was worked 761/3 innings, while recording 92 strikeouts and giving up 17 walks. Opponents are hitting just .211 against him.
Only teammate Anthony Ranaudo has more strikeouts in the SEC with 105.
After taking 2-of-3 games at No. 12 Arkansas, the Tigers moved to No. 3 in this week's Baseball America Top 25 and Collegiate Baseball Top 30.
With six SEC games left to play, LSU (36-13) is tied for first place in the SEC Western Division with Ole Miss. The Tigers and Rebels are in a three-way tie for the SEC overall lead with Florida.
LSU hosts Florida this weekend for a key three-game set, while Ole Miss will host a struggling Mississippi State team.
