It wasn’t pretty, but then again some of LSU’s (10-3) games this season haven’t been masterpieces. That said, it took a clutch hit from Josh Smith to give the Tigers a 4-3 win over the Golden Bears of Cal (6-5) to open up a three-game set.
How It Happened:
The Golden Bears got on the board off of the third pitch of the ballgame when Cameron Eden blasted one out to left center field to take an early 1-0 lead. LSU tied things up though in the bottom of the third off of a Giovanni DiGiacomo sac fly that got Brock Mathis across home plate.
Things started to go off the rails in the sixth inning for the Tigers when Eden was walked with the bases loaded, followed up by Brandon McIlwain scoring off of a passed ball gave California a 3-1 lead. Brock Mathis gave the Tigers another run in the bottom of the seventh with a sac fly that allowed Cade Beloso to get to home safely.
Things got interesting with two outs and runners on first and second after a single by Giovanni DiGiacomo. A wild pitch on strike three gave the Tigers new life with the bases loaded with Hal Hughes getting on base safely. With Josh Smith at the plate, he was able to give the Tigers the win with a two-run single out to center field.
Big Number: 13?
The Golden Bears could have rolled to a big win if not for stranding 13 players on the night. If not for that, LSU wouldn’t have rallied back in the ninth.
Player of the Game: Josh Smith
How can he not get player of the game? Not only did he extend his hitting streak to 12 games, but that one hit he had in the ninth gave the Tigers a very important win.
Next Up: Doubleheader vs Cal; Game One First Pitch at 1 pm
-Clint Domingue