LSU used four solo home runs to defeat Wofford 4-3 in the opening game of the Chapel Hill NCAA Regional on Friday morning.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After retiring the first three batters in the first inning, LSU starter Gage Jump got into trouble in the second inning.
Wofford’s Daniel Jackson led off the frame with a double to right centerfield and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Tyler Hare flied out to center which scored Jackson. Lucas Manning then hit a single up the middle and stole second base. Andrew Mannelly then laced a single to right field which brought home Manning.
Heading to the bottom of the second, the Terriers led the Tigers 2-0.
After being held to only one hit by Branton Little through the first three innings, LSU led off the bottom of the fourth with a single by Jared Jones. But the Tigers were unable to take advantage as Josh Pearson reached on a fielder’s choice and then Hayden Travinski popped out and Steven Milam grounded out.
LSU finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh when Milam led off with a solo home run. Wofford responded by leading off the eighth with Jack Renwick hitting a solo homer and the Terriers held a 3-1 lead.
The Tigers tied it up in the bottom frame and did so with the long ball, as both Michael Braswell III and Jones hit solo home runs.
LSU won the game in the bottom of the ninth as Milam lifted a pitch from Alec Bouchard over the wall for the game-winning home run.
BIG NUMBER: 4
Jay Johnson’s lineup scored four runs on six hits in Friday’s victory over Wofford, with all four runs coming courtesy of solo home runs.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: JARED JONES & STEVEN MILAM
LSU’s first baseman went 2-for-2 with one run scored, one RBI, one home run, and two walks, while Milam went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, 2 RBI, and the game-winning home run.
UP NEXT: LSU (41-21) will face the winner of LIU-North Carolina on Saturday. Pregame begins at 3:30 p.m. and the first pitch is set for 4 p.m. You can listen to all the live action on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.