We're getting our popcorn ready, and our hot dogs are on the grill for LSU baseball's season opener tonight against the Maryland Terrapins.

After last season's early exit at home against Stony Brook, what does Jim Hawthorne have to say about the chances of the 2013 squad making a hopeful return to Omaha for the College World Series?

Legendary LSU Tigers announcer Jim Hawthorne has called every sport imaginable for the Tigers for 30 plus seasons. He has announced all the highs and lows of LSU football, the baseball dynasty on the Bayou in the 1990's, and the presence of Shaq in purple and gold in the early 1990's at Pete Maravich Arena.

With the first pitch for LSU baseball being thrown in a matter of hours, Hawthorne tells The Tiger about the ability of this season's team after being ousted early in the postseason last June and coming within one win of going back to Omaha.

When asked if the Tigers can repeat their hot start where the went 14-3 to start the season before conference play Hawthorne says,

"You know, those are all things that are really impossible to answer. I think this team is going to be very, very good. LSU does not go on the road, except for the five Southeastern Conference trips at all this year, except to New Orleans to play Tulane and the Pontiff Classic down at the Zephyr, and down to Lafayette to play ULL. Other than that everything can be played here at Alex Box Stadium and so that is a definite advantage for LSU. It is an exceptionally long season...If LSU can stay healthy and play up to the caliber of talent on paper they have, they should be right where they want to be at the end of the year."

Hawthorne dives into the recent hiring of new Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron for the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. He says of the impact Cameron can bring to Death Valley,

"That certainly remains to be seen. He and Les Miles are longtime friends, they've coached together at Michigan. Of course he has great NFL experience...Coach Miles is not making the move, just to be making the move. He's doing it because this guy brings a lot to the table."

Hear the rest of what Jim Hawthorne has to say of the hiring of Cam Cameron, LSU Baseball, the success of his alum Northwestern State at basketball this season, and how he balances his busy schedule:

You can hear tonight's game against the Maryland Terrapins with coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. here on "Your Home For LSU Sports" 1130 The Tiger!

 

 

 

More From 1130 The Tiger