Top-ranked LSU baseball has now dropped back-to-back mid-week games against in-state schools but they made sure to do it in style on Tuesday.
Nicholls State played two runs to break a 4-4 tie in the top of the 9th inning, the second run scoring when the ball squirted past the LSU catcher allowing Parker Couddou to score. That run proved massive, with LSU plating a run and loading the bases with one out and Cade Beloso at the plate.
He appeared to have the potential winning hit, until Couddou tracked the ball down in shallow center field, doubling Jack Merrifield off of second base to end the game in front of a stunned Alex Box Stadium.
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“You have to tip your hat to Nicholls for their defense,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “They took away several extra-base hits during the game. Their outfield was phenomenal, and obviously that was a great play at second base at the end. They deserved to win the game tonight.”
Nicholls climbed 23-16 on the season. LSU is now 32-8. LSU reliever Bryce Collins (2-2) was charged with the loss.
Nicholls reliever Nico Saltaformaggio (3-1) earned the win as he worked 3.0 scoreless innings and allowed no hits with no walks and one strikeout.
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Nicholls opened the scoring in the second inning on catcher Jaden Collura’s sacrifice fly, and the Colonels extended the lead to 3-0 in the fifth on a two-run single by rightfielder Xane Washington.
LSU, however, struck for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to claim the lead. Beloso led off the inning with this eighth homer of the year, first baseman Jared Jones drew a bases-loaded walk, rightfielder Ethan Frey produced an RBI groundout and second baseman Gavin Dugas lifted a sacrifice fly to highlight the outburst.
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LSU returns to Alex Box Stadium on Friday when they kick off a three-game series against Alabama beginning at 6 p.m.
William Franques of LSU Athletics contributed to this report