The weather forced this weekend’s series between the LSU Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks to be delayed and not start until Saturday, making the day a doubleheader.
LSU took an early lead and never let it vanish, winning game one 6-1. Both teams returned three hours later for game two and an evening matchup. The Tigers scattered runs throughout the game and ended up winning 7-3, improving their record to 27-21 and 8-15 in SEC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Much like game one, the visiting Gamecocks took the lead in the opening inning. This time, with one out, Tyler Bak went yard on the first pitch he saw, hitting the ball into the Left Field Landing.
Despite giving up the home run, LSU freshman starting pitcher Marcos Paz had a strong beginning to the game. Through the first three innings, Paz struck out five Gamecock batters, including three in the opening frame.
LSU tied the game in the third inning. William Patrick led off with a single into right-center field, then Tanner Reaves hit a single just over the pitcher’s head to put runners on first and second. Both Tigers advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Braun, and Patrick scored on a sacrifice fly into right field by Omar Serna Jr. The play was confirmed after a challenge by South Carolina, and the game sat at 1-1 through the first third of the game.
The Tigers took the lead in the following inning with another pair of hits. Cade Arrambide singled, and Seth Dardar hit a double as South Carolina’s center fielder slipped on the play. That put both runners in scoring position, and Jack Ruckert brought in Arrambide with a sacrifice fly into the outfield.
Gamecock starting pitcher Brandon Stone saw his final action of the evening in the fifth after walking Reaves and allowing a home run to Mason Braun. His final stat line was one strikeout, four runs, and six hits allowed in 4.1 innings on the mound.
Logan Prisco came in relief, and it didn’t get any better for South Carolina. Prisco gave up three straight singles to Arrambide, Steven Milam, and Dardar as the Tigers were up 5-1 through five innings.
Deven Sheerin replaced Paz to begin the sixth and had a strong opening inning. He didn’t allow a hit and struck out Talmadge LeCroy for the third out.
Arrambide added to LSU’s lead at the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot into the Left Field Landing, giving the Tigers a five-run advantage with two innings to go. That home run came after the Gamecocks made a couple of pitching changes between the sixth and seventh innings.
The Tigers added one more run at the top of the eighth as the Gamecocks brought in another pitcher, this time it was Connor Chicoli to start the inning. Patrick reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, and Reaves doubled to put runners on second and third base. Hudson Lee replaced Chicoli and gave up a sacrifice grounder by Braun as LSU scored one more run for good measure.
Sheerin allowed a couple of hits and runs in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough as he helped secure the 7-3 win for LSU, winning the Tigers the series. The win improved their record to 27-21 and 8-15 in conference play.
BIG NUMBER: 1
Earlier today, the team got its first win against an SEC team since it beat Tennessee 16-6 on April 5th. The two wins on Saturday also meant this was LSU’s first SEC series win since its series with the Volunteers. Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State previously swept the Bayou Bengals.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Marcos Paz
In his second start on the mound, Paz had an impressive five innings, allowing just one hit and run. He also struck out eight and walked three South Carolina batters as LSU took the series with a pair of 6-1 and 7-3 wins on Saturday.
UP NEXT: Game three between the LSU Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 3rd. The action can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.