I've never seen a baseball game end like that! LSU baseball advanced in the SEC tournament on the most improbable of all walk off victories.
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The Tigers started the bottom of the 9th inning down 3-2 and facing elimination against Auburn. LSU designated hitter Giovanni DiGiacomo singled to right center field giving the Tigers life. Catcher Saul Garza then stroked a single to left that advanced DiGiacomo from first to third base. Garza moved to second base on the throw to third from the outfield, as Auburn was attempting to get DiGiacomo out at third base.
With no outs, LSU looked like they were in business, however, Brandt Broussard flied out to left in the next at bat. Then LSU coach Paul Mainieri decided to pinch hit Chris Reid and insert Drew Bianco as a pinch runner for Garza at second base. Madness ensued!
WHATEVER IT TAKES -- pic.twitter.com/mlKxPwqfQM
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball)
May 23, 2019 Two pitches into Reid's at bat, Auburn pitcher Brook Fuller uncorked a wild pitch in the dirt that catcher Mathew Scheffler blocked, but couldn't locate. Scheffler, in a panic searching for the ball, kicked the baseball another ten feet. DiGiacomo took off for home and scored the tying run. Auburn first baseman Rankin Woley spotted the baseball down the right field line of home plate and raced to grab it. He picked it up and tossed it home, but it was too late. DiGiacomo was safe. Woley's throw sailed past the catcher down the third base line and Drew Bianco came all the way around from second base to give LSU the walk off 4-3 victory.
The Tigers advanced. They'll face the loser of the Vanderbilt/Mississippi State game that takes place later tonight in Hoover, Alabama. LSU will play tomorrow at approximately 6:30 p.m. in another loser-out contest.
After the game, LSU Coach Paul Mainieri joined WWL Radio's Sports Talk to talk about the victory. You can hear the full interview by clicking the podcast link.
