Zach Watson out of the lineup for Texas opener

LSU will be without two of its second-year starts as it begins a rematch of the 2009 College World Series Finals.

Center fielder Zach Watson is out for the series opener against Texas, LSU coach Paul Mainieri told Tiger Rag a few hours prior to first pitch. The sophomore would only be available as a pinch runner.

Watson was a late scratch from the lineup before LSU’s 14-6 victory over UNO on Wednesday night after he “tweaked” his oblique during batting practice.  Mainieri called him a game-time decision on Thursday, but the injury hasn’t healed enough for him to re-join the lineup.

Antoine Duplantis will make his second consecutive start in center field while Beau Jordan will take his place in right. We wrote Thursday about the lineup flexibility provided by Jordan’s hot start with the bat.

Here’s the full lineup for the series opener, which is the same one LSU deployed against UNO:

1. Daniel Cabrera (LF)
2. Austin Bain (DH)
3. Antoine Duplantis (CF)
4. Hunter Feduccia (C)
5. Beau Jordan (RF)
6. Jake Slaughter (3B)
7. Bryce Jordan (1B)
8. Brandt Broussard (2B)
9. Hal Hughes (SS)