LSU dug itself a hole again on Saturday at the Hattiesburg regional, and again they brought just enough shovels to dig all the way out in the final moments of a 7-6 victory over Southern Miss in 10 innings.
The Tigers' heroics didn't begin until the 9th inning this time, but it was Dylan Crews' solo blast to center that kicked open the floodgates in the latest entry in new age "hold the rope" baseball.
Josh Pearson singled with two outs and Cade Doughty followed with a 2-run homer to right field. The Tigers were in business against Golden Eagles closer Landon Harper. Tre' Morgan was hit by a pitch -- a close call that was upheld after review -- meaning the potential winning run came to the plate in the form of Jordan Thompson. Garrett Ramsey took over on the mound, and LSU's shortstop singled to centerfield on the second pitch of the at-bat. Pinch runner Drew Bianco scored from 2nd base to tie the game. After being down to their final strike three separate times, this game ended up in extra innings.
Paul Gervase took over and notched a shutdown 10th inning and LSU charged fast in the 10th, loading the bases with nobody out. Southern Miss survived Jacob Berry's at-bat with a clutch play at the plate, but Josh Pearson's high chopper up the middle gave Josh Stevenson enough time to scamper home for the game-winner.
"I'm really proud of this team, and we've just really gotta reset and get ready for tomorrow," head coach Jay Johnson said.
But the biggest thing that keyed the results the last two nights: "Toughness," he said. "Sometimes you just win with toughness."
Missed opportunities throughout the game nearly cost the Tigers a night after rallying from 11-4 down in the 8th inning to defeat Kennesaw State. It's just the second time since 1999 (UL, 2016) that a team went 2-0 in a regional despite trailing in the 7th inning or later in both games.
LSU got out of the gates quickly, loading the bases in the first inning. But they only pulled one run out of the inning on Tre' Morgan's RBI single to plate Dylan Crews. Catcher Tyler McManus sneaked a home run over the fence in the second inning, but that was the peak of the offense against a quality pitcher Waldrep, who finished his night with 119 pitches, 5 hits, 2 runs allowed and stuck out 11 over 6.1 innings.
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The Tigers appeared to have a bit of a rally started in the bottom of the 7th inning down 5-2, but it fizzled quickly. Dylan Crews doubled to drive Southern Miss starter Hurston Waldrep from of the game, and Jacob Berry came to the plate with a chance to narrow a 3-run gap against reliever Dalton Rogers. But after the third pitch, he took off to first claiming that the ball hit him. Umps didn't agree after a review (one of three such HPB reviews in the game), and Berry struck out two pitches later despite a desperate plea for the umps to look at his foot. There was a ball mark on it, he said.
LSU had another prime opportunity in the 8th inning. Josh Pearson notched a leadoff single. Tre' Morgan's rare strikeout marked the second out, but Jordan Thompson and Gavin Dugas each worked walks to load the bases and drive Rogers from the game. McManus came to the plate representing the potential tying run against closer Landon Harper, but LSU's catcher grounded out on the first pitch, ending the threat. Every hitter in LSU's starting lineup recorded at least one strikeout.
The Tigers got a solid start out of Floyd, with the sophomore going 6 innings and striking out 7 while allowing 6 hits and 4 runs. The Tigers used Jacob Hasty and Trent Vietmeier in relief each allowing 1 run.
WHAT'S NEXT
Bullpen attrition could loom large the next two days for the trio of teams remaining, with each of Kennesaw State and Southern Miss knowing it’ll have to play a minimum of three more games to win the regional. The Tigers are just one win away from moving on to the Super Regionals.
- Kennesaw State vs 11. Southern Miss, 1 p.m. (loser's bracket)
- Kennesaw State/Southern Miss winner vs LSU
The Tigers can potentially close out the regional tomorrow night with a win. If-necessary, a winner-take-all rematch at 3 p.m. on Monday.
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