LSU used its top two starting pitchers to end Texas A&M’s season. Kade Anderson struck out 12 over six innings for his eighth win and Anthony Eyanson pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen for his first save of the year. Ethan Frey drove in three runs and hit his 12th home run of the season as the Tigers won 4-3.
Magic Moment: LSU built a 4-0 lead but A&M, with its season on the line, battled back and in the seventh inning had a chance to tie game.
Eyanson entered the game for his first relief appearance of the year and was immediately was greeted by a Gavin Kash triple. He hit a sinking liner. LSU centerfielder Chris Stanfield dove for the ball, but it got past him, allowing Kash to get to third base with no outs.
Texas A&M’s next hitter, Ben Royo laid down a bunt. LSU third baseman Michael Braswell threw the ball a little wild, forcing first baseman Jared Jones to stretch to get it and couldn’t catch it as his glove hit Royo’s body.
Royo kept running and ran to third base. But LSU Coach Jay Johnson asked for a review, because Royo was running on the fair side of the foul line. The replay ump agreed and called Royo out and Kash had to return to third.
A&M tried to bunt again, but Kash didn’t go home on the safety squeeze, and the hitter was out at first. Eyanson got the final hitter on a strikeout, and he was fired up coming off the mound.
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LSU’s pitching plan: Johnson said they decided last weekend that Anderson and Eyanson would pitch in the first game in the SEC Tournament. It allowed LSU to get Anderson out after only 84 pitches. Eyanson tossed 46 pitches.
The decision made sure that both would pitch and avoid an extended time off before the Regional. It will now get others a chance to get some work on Saturday when LSU faces Ole Miss.
You can also make the argument that Johnson really wanted to win this one, to assure a Top 8 national seed. A loss to the Aggies could have pushed LSU out of the Top 10 in the RPI.
Just 4 hits: Once again LSU struggled offensively away from Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers had just four hits and Frey was gifted a double when the Texas A&M right fielder Sam Erickson dropped the ball on a deep fly ball. It should have been ruled an error.
LSU did not have a base runner from the 4th inning on.
I don’t agree with the decision to have Daniel Dickinson bunt in the 1st inning. Play for the big inning. A&M starter Myles Patton let the first two guys reach base, why give him a free out?
In the second inning: Michael Braswell has a 2-1 count, he’s asked to fake a bunt and then pull the bat back and swing. He hit into a double play. Why get cute, just swing away there?
If LSU doesn’t win a national championship, it’ll be because the offense just doesn’t produce enough in Omaha.
Up Next ... Ole Miss (early): Because of anticipated severe weather in the Hoover area on Saturday night, both semifinal games have been moved up. Vanderbilt and Tennessee will start at 10 AM, which means LSU will play Ole Miss at around 1:30.
The Tigers have not faced Ole Miss this year, which is an unusual thing for two longtime SEC rivals.
The Rebels are 39-18, 16-14 in the SEC. Ole Miss has won five of its last six, including two at the SEC Tournament. A 3-1 win over Florida on Wednesday and a 5-2 victory against Arkansas on Friday. Ole Miss scored all five runs on Friday in the first inning.
The Rebs have two power hitters. Berwick native and UNO transfer Mitchell Sanford is hitting .308 with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs. Judd Utermark is hitting .305 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Senior right-hander Mason Nichols would be the likely starter. He’s 3-2 with 5.51 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 50.2 innings. But he strained an oblique in his start last week.
Connor Spencer is an outstanding closer, but he’s already pitched twice this week.
Ole Miss is making a case to host a Regional. They are number 17 in the RPI. LSU has likely secured a Top 8 national seed.