The LSU Tigers earned a berth in the championship series of the College World Series on Saturday, thanks in large part to the bat of catcher Michael Papierski.
In his first two at-bats of the game against Oregon State, Papierski hit home runs. That’s pretty special, but what makes it even more special is the fact Papierski hit his bombs from both sides of the plate.
Lefty or Righty it doesn’t matter…
LSU’s Michael Papierski hits BOMBS!! #CWS pic.twitter.com/7AxWpXpIWF
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 24, 2017
According to NCAA Baseball, Papierski became the first person in history to accomplish this feat in the same game.
CONFIRMED: Michael Papierski became the first player in the history of the #CWS to hit a HR from both sides of the plate in the same game! https://t.co/vYCJPJ4Bou
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 25, 2017
Interestingly, Papierski started the season as an exclusively right-handed hitter before making a change. The move to hit from both sides of the plate has paid off tremendously, as much of his power has come from the left side of the plate.
“He’s hit a lot of big home runs left-handed,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said, via NOLA.com. “After we started the season with him just doing the right-handed thing, he was having a lot of trouble seeing breaking balls out of right-handers hands batting just right-handed. He and I met one day and said, ‘Look, let’s do it the way you’ve done it your whole life.'”
Needless to say, that decision has made a big difference for Papierski and the Tigers. The catcher was selected by the Houston Astros in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. But he has some unfinished work left to accomplish as LSU prepares to take on Florida for the title, starting on Monday, June 26.