Press Release via LSUE Bengals Athletics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A matchup between two teams ranked in the top five nationally in earned run average lived up to the billing as LSU Eunice came up on the short side of a 3-2 extra inning heartbreaker at Shelton State on Thursday. The Bengals (52-4) find themselves with their backs against the wall in the best-of-three series with Game Two set for Friday at 6:00PM.
Despite the pitching prowess, it was miscues on the mound that ultimately helped both offenses show signs of life. Shelton State scored the winning run on a two-out single to left field after two wild pitches put the game winning run at third base. Three of the five runs in the game would be benefitted by a wild pitch or passed ball.
Both teams swapped runs in the third with LSU Eunice scoring in the top half thanks to an Aidan Mouton sacrifice fly. Jordan Luna would score the opening run after a lead-off single, advancing off a passed ball and Cash Riley III single. The Buccaneers responded in the bottom half, using three straight one-out base hits.
LSUE regained the lead in the sixth thanks to Tyson LeBlanc running the basepaths. After singling up the middle, he would steal two bases and score on an error from the catcher on the throw to third. Shelton State tied the game an inning later, using a walk and two wild pitches before a sacrifice fly drove in the run.
The Bengals would leave five runners stranded, two in scoring position while the Bucs left four of their six men on base in scoring position. LSUE was outhit 7-6 with Ashton Fuselier and LeBlanc each collecting two hits.
Alec Beversdorf fought valiantly in the no decision, going 5.1 innings in the start. The sophomore gave up one earned run off five hits and one walk while striking out five batters. McCray Jacobs pitched two innings before Will Mabry went the remainder of the game, also striking out five batters.
The two teams combined for 25 strikeouts in the contest.