The rubber match between the LSU Tigers (25-12, 9-6 SEC) and Ole Miss (22-14, 7-8 SEC) saw some fireworks, but at the end of the day, it took some small ball to get things done on Saturday.
The Tigers drew first blood with Jordan Romero reaching home safely after a fielding error from Tate Blackman. However, the Rebels second baseman redeemed himself with a solo shot to left field to tie things up in the top of the third.
That tie didn’t last long as Greg Deichmann went yard in the bottom of the third for his 12th of the season. The Tigers managed to get some insurance in the sixth inning when Josh Smith hit an RBI single to score Jake Slaughter.
The Rebels responded in the seventh with an RBI single from Nick Fortes to make it 3-2. While they seemed to get a rally going, but that would be all Ole Miss could muster as the Tigers took their second straight series in conference play.
Eric Walker improved to 5-0 on the year allowing two runs off of six hits. The freshman also recorded five strikeouts in six and two thirds innings of work.
Hunter Newman got his fifth save walking one and striking out one in his lone inning of work.
The Tigers will return to action on Tuesday when they host Lamar (22-15, 9-9 SEC) with first pitch set for 6:30 pm.
-Clint Domingue