The LSU Tigers came back from a four-run deficit in the ninth inning and then defeated host Southern Mississippi 7-6 in 10 innings at the NCAA Hattiesburg Regional on Saturday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Dylan Crews led off by being hit by a pitch, advanced to second base on a passed ball and then moved over to third on a fly out by Josh Pearson. After a single by Cade Doughty, Crews would score on a single through the right side by Tre’ Morgan.
Southern Miss took the lead in the second inning.
Christopher Sargent led off with a single to left field but appeared he was going to be stranded after back-to-back fly outs. The Golden Eagles would take advantage as Will McGillis hit a two-run home run off of Tigers starter Ty Floyd.
LSU tied it in the bottom frame with a solo home run by Tyler McManus
After a scoreless third, Southern Miss retook the lead in the fourth inning as Sargent, who reached on a single, scored on a single by Danny Lynch.
Southern Miss added to its lead in the fifth with a two-out solo home run by Carson Paetow, and then again in the seventh when McGillis scored on a groundout.
The Golden Eagles kept it up with a Sargent solo home run in the eighth.
LSU mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth with a Crews solo home run and then a two-out, two-run home run by Doughty and a single by Jordan Thompson.
McManus led off with a single in the 10th, Josh Stevenson was hit by a pitch and Crews walked to load the bases with no outs. Berry then hit into a fielder’s choice but the runner was out at home. Pearson was up next and reached on a fielder’s choice but this time Stevenson crossed home plate to win the game.
BIG NUMBER: 6
The Tigers’ lineup struggled to get hits through the first eight innings against the Golden Eagles’ pitching staff. LSU managed only two runs on five hits while striking out a total of 13 times in the first eight frames. LSU’s bats got hot in the ninth and tenth as it managed five runs on six hits.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: DYLAN CREWS & CADE DOUGHTY
The Tigers duo combined to go 4-for-9 with three runs scored but came up clutch in the ninth inning. Crews hit a solo home run and Doughty added a two-run blast that helped spark the rally.
UP NEXT: LSU (39-20) will play the winner of the elimination game between Kennesaw State-Southern Miss. First pitch is set 6 p.m. on Sunday night.