The LSU Tigers found some help from an unlikely source on opening night with an extra innings victory against Cincinnati (0-1).
The Bearcats got things going early on with a sacrifice by Woody Wallace in the top of the second that allowed Ryan Noda to score to put them up 1-0. The Tigers tied it up in the bottom of the fourth with freshman Antoine Duplantis hitting an RBI single.
Cincinnati took the lead again with Treg Haberkorn hitting a two run double in the top of the seventh to put a gap between themselves and the Tigers. Jake Fraley cut away at the lead in the bottom of the eighth with Jake Fraley hitting a grounder that led to Kramer Robertson reaching home safely.
Jordan Romero came in the bottom of the ninth with two outs as a pinch hitter for shortstop Trey Dawson and set up extra innings with a single to center field.
The Bearcats tried to put it away in the top of the 10th inning with a pair of runs by Manny Rodriguez and Kyle Mottice. But LSU was able to tie things up with an RBI single by Brody Wofford and Cole Freeman getting hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 10th.
Romero came through once again with another two-out single that led to O’Neal Lochridge heading to home to give the Tigers the win in the bottom of the 12th.
Alden Cartwright is credited with the win, not allowing a hit, striking out two, and walking one batter in two innings of relief pitching.
David Orndorff is credited with the loss for Cincinnati allowing two hits, one run, striking out and walking one in two innings of work.
The Tigers (1-0) will have a quick turnaround tomorrow when they face off against Cincinnati with first pitch set for 2 pm.
-Clint Domingue