Top-ranked LSU baseball picked up its fifth consecutive win in an impressive start to the 2023 season, but not without a bizarre finish.
With 2 outs and 2 strikes in the top of the 9th inning, Kansas State 1st baseman Roberto Pena stood outside the box for a bit too long. The result: An automatic strike. Game over.
Wait, what? Yep. Rule changes for this season intended to speed up the game include hitter and pitcher clocks. The pitcher has 20 seconds to set on the mound, otherwise it's an automatic ball. The batter also has 20 seconds to return to the box between pitches. If not, it's an automatic strike.
That's what happened. And that's how the game ended. LSU 7, Kansas State 3.
Tigers ace Paul Skenes earned his second win in a Tigers uniform, going 6 innings and striking out 11 while allowing two hits and one earned run. Ty Floyd pitched the final 3 innings and earned the save, striking out five.
LSU is back in action at the Round Rock Classic at noon on Saturday when they face Iowa, then faces Sam Houston State at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
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