This season for LSU (38-17, 20-9 SEC) has been a roller coaster. Losing several midweek games and a slow start in SEC play led to many fans turning on head coach Paul Mainieri and questioning the team’s ability to win key series in conference play.
Fast forward to Friday night and the Tigers clinched the SEC West crown after taking down Mississippi State (34-21, 17-12 SEC) by the score of 11-5.
The Tigers found a way to strike early with a three run first inning capped off by a two-run double to right field from Nick Coomes. Jake Mangum responded for the Bulldogs with an RBI single to right field to cut away at the lead.
Kramer Robertson made it 4-1 in the top of the fifth with an RBI single through the left side. However, Mississippi State tied things up in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run single up the middle from Hunter Stovall.
It didn’t remain deadlocked for long as the Tiger put up four runs, three of which were due to bases-loaded walks. The Tigers put in the final nail with three runs coming off of a wild pitch in the top of the seventh.
Jared Poche improved to 9-3 on the year allowing four runs off of eight hits. The senior walked two and struck out four in five innings of work.
Zach Hess got his first save of the season with an extended relief effort. The true freshman allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out six in three and two-thirds of an inning of work.
LSU will look to complete the series sweep on Saturday with first pitch set for 3:30 pm.
Extra Bases:
One Step Closer: After the victory on Friday, the Tigers will need a loss from Florida on Saturday and complete the sweep to win the SEC regular season title and get the number one seed in the SEC Tournament. If both LSU and the Gators win, then the Tigers will be the number two seed.
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mainieri has earned his sixth SEC west title in his 11 seasons with LSU and reached the 20-win mark for the fourth time.
-Clint Domingue