After the first three innings, things did not look good on Friday night for LSU (30-20, 13-12 SEC). However, a big grand slam in the eighth was enough to get the Tigers past Alabama (25-26, 6-19 SEC).
How It Happened
The Crimson Tide got on the board in the second with a two-run single out to right field. Keith Holcombe followed things up in the third with a two-run single of his own to give Alabama a 4-0 lead.
LSU got on the board in the bottom frame with an RBI double from Daniel Cabrera. Things looked dire though with Manning getting another run across with a single to left center in the top of the eighth.
The Tigers didn’t go quietly into the night though, rallying back in the bottom of the eighth thanks an RBI single from Nick Coomes and a bases-loaded walk made it 4-3, bringing Beau Jordan to the plate. With a 2-2 count, Jordan blasted one out to left field to clear the bases to take the first lead of the ballgame.
John Kodros improved to 1-1 on the year, getting out of the eighth inning with a groundout by Chandler Avant. Todd Peterson got his third save of the season, facing the minimum in the ninth.
Big Number: 10
The pitching staff had some warts, namely three hit batters but they were able to punch out Alabama, racking up 10 strikeouts on the evening.
Player of the Game: Beau Jordan
Going two-of-five on any particular night doesn’t normally get someone player of the game honors, but hitting a big grand slam to give LSU a win was enough to earn some honors.
Next Up: Game Two; First Pitch at 7 pm
-Clint Domingue