LSU Outfielder Derek Curiel Talks about Beating West Virginia

The LSU Tigers baseball team took down the West Virginia Mountaineers 16-9 in the first game of the Baton Rouge Super Regional series. After the game, outfielder Derek Curiel talked to the media about his performance, the lineup change and getting that home run.

On what he thought of the lineup change today

Derek: Nothing was different, to be honest. I just approached the game how we approach the game all the time. Me, personally, whether I'm batting first, second, seventh, just trying to go up there and do my job. And felt like I executed that well today. And that was just the plan.

On his approach to the plate today

Derek: Pitcher was good. Obviously they're a great team. They're here for a reason. I feel like we stuck to our plan well today. The hitters, lefties, we got on top of the plate, made them throw it over the plate. The righties did a good job of letting the ball travel.

I feel we stuck to our plan today. And when we do that, I think we're pretty tough to beat. So hopefully we continue doing that.

On how he got that home run

Derek: Heater in, sliders away. And he threw me two fastballs, low and in, I took them. I saw the ball kind of tunnelling down, and 2-0. I saw the slider pop. And it looked big to me, so I went to go swing at it and put a good swing on it.

Watch the full press conference here: