Nick Coomes out of the LSU lineup against Southeastern with a thumb injury; Jake Slaughter starts in place

By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor

An injury has forced LSU coach Paul Mainieri to change the lineup he vowed to be done tinkering with.

First baseman Nick Coomes is out for LSU’s winner’s bracket game against Southeastern Saturday day due to a thumb injury, an LSU spokesman confirmed. He sustained the injury diving back to first base during Friday’s win over Texas Southern.

Freshman Jake Slaughter will get the start in Coomes’ place, batting ninth. He started in place of Coomes against South Alabama on May 9 when Coomes was dealing with a shoulder injury. Before that, Slaughter hadn’t been in the lineup since April 9.

Coomes was in uniform for the winner’s bracket game but is sporting some kind of sling/brace on his left thumb and wrist.

The spokesman didn’t specify as to the severity of the injury.