Heading into the SEC Tournament final, it looked like the matchup between the LSU Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks could be a high scoring affair based off of what they did in the tournament the last few days.
However, it was a low scoring affair that saw Eric Walker put together a solid performance to help LSU win their 12th SEC title by the score of 4-2.
The lone run that Walker gave up came in the bottom of the third with a solo shot from Eric Cole to give the Razorbacks an early lead. However, the Tigers responded quickly with a three run inning highlighted by an RBI single from Josh Smith to right field.
Antoine Duplantis gave the Tigers a little more insurance in the top of the sixth when he scored off of a sac fly by Nick Coomes.
Arkansas looked to try and rally in the bottom of the ninth when Cole cut the lead in half with an RBI single up the middle. However, after Hunter Newman intentionally walked Chad Spanberger, Luke Bonfield hit one straight to Kramer Robertson and the senior tossed it to Josh Smith to give the Tigers their 11th straight win.
Walker improved to 7-1 on the year allowing one run off five hits, walked one, and struck out eight in seven and two-thirds innings. Newman earned his 10th save of the season allowing one run off of one hit and walked two in the ninth.
The Tigers will now wait to find out who they will be paired off with on Monday. After winning the SEC title, it seems to be a lock at this point to be a national seed and stay in the friendly confines of Alex Box Stadium.
-Clint Domingue