LSU baseball couldn't out a bat on the ball in their Friday-night opener at the Eugene regional -- they've crushed everything since.
With Paul Mainieri set to retire at season's end, the Tigers have faced that potential moment three times in two days. They've won all three times, the latest feat a 4-1 victory over Oregon just hours after dumping Gonzaga 9-4 in a Sunday afternoon rematch.
"I told the guys after the game: 'You just won't let me retire. You keep making me work,' " Mainieri said.
One catalyst: Dylan Crews, who caught fire since being bumped up the leadoff spot in Saturday's victory over Central, having since belted three home runs and reaching base 11 times in 14 at-bats. Crews scored to open up a 1-0 lead for LSU, and his 8th inning home run extended LSU's lead to 4-1.
"It just took a lot of guts and a lot of effort from our guys," Crews said on the field after the win. "Our pitching staff has been unbelievable the last few days. Our chemistry is coming together."
Related
In between those moments it was the Gavin Dugas show, who launched a home run in the 4th inning, came around to score on an inside-the park home run that was ruled a triple and an error, and a double to finish just shy of the cycle.
AJ Labas was the star for the Tigers pitching staff in the victory over Gonzaga, logging eight innings for the victory and a clean bullpen setup for the nightcap. Trent Vietmeier pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the Bulldogs, and followed that up with a clean first inning against Gonzaga. From there it was the Javen Coleman show, with the freshman left-hander handling the next six innings and holding Oregon's potent offense to one run on three hits with six strikeouts.
"Coleman] was just amazing out there," Mainieri said. "... He's not a freshman anymore, that's for sure."
LSU closer Devin Fontenot took over in the 8th inning and closed out the Ducks.
Related
In the end the result guarantees just one thing: LSU's season and Mainieri's head coaching career will last at least one more game. The Tigers now turn to face top-seeded Oregon one final time on Monday, the winner advancing to the super regionals of the NCAA Tournament. Oregon entered the game 2-0 after convincing victories over Central Connecticut and Gonzaga on Friday and Saturday.
The inning-eating performances of Labas and Coleman leave the Tigers in a positive position in terms of rest, even after a grueling double-header on Sunday. Mainieri said he'll have to sleep on the pitching and lineup decisions for Monday.