(WWL.com)
It could have been one of the greatest come backs in LSU baseball history. Down 15-9 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning the Tigers slugged back-to-back-to-back home runs to tie the game. But Ole Miss responded by scoring four runs in the top of the 10th inning off of Devin Fontenot for a wild 19-15 win over LSU to win their first series in Baton Rouge since 1982.
The Tigers team ERA coming into the game was 4.09, fourth worst in the SEC, and it only went up after Sunday’s ugly pitching performance.
Freshman Landon Marceaux started and gave up seven runs in 2.1 innings. Only three runs were earned as the usually dependable Josh Smith and Antoine Duplantis each committed errors to contribute to the ugly start to the game.
Fontenot was not the only Tiger to struggle out of the bullpen. Todd Peterson gave up three runs, Aaron George allowed a couple of runs and so did Trent Vietmeier.
LSU was down 10-1 in the 5th inning, before they finally started putting together some good at-bats. The Tigers scored 3 runs in the 5th inning, two runs in the 6th inning and 3 runs in the 7th inning.
The rally in the 9th inning was remarkable. Antoine Duplantis, who had five hits, hit a three-run homer to get LSU within two. Cade Beloso followed that with his second home run of the game to make it a one run game. Then Josh Smith tied the game with a solo shot.
But LSU’s pitching woes spoiled what could have been a come back for the ages.
The loss drops LSU’s record to 14-10 in the SEC, 30-18 overall. They are now in 4th place in the West Division, three games back of Arkansas, who they will face next weekend in Fayetteville, starting on Thursday. But before that game, LSU will host Louisiana Tech, who has lost seven of their last eight.
LSU really needs to get it going, they are on the verge of not getting a bye for the SEC Tournament, but more importantly, the Tigers might be on the road again for an NCAA Regional.