How it happened: LSU could only muster four hits in a 3-2 loss on Sunday to Auburn as the Plainsmen swept the Fighting Tigers for the first time since 1988. LSU falls to 31-6 overall, 10-5 in the SEC. LSU is now tied for fifth place in the SEC standings with Georgia, three games back of first place Texas.
Key moments: When you are on the road and trying to avoid a sweep, the last thing you want to do is get behind. Chase Shores started for LSU and gave up three runs in the first two innings.
Zac Cowan and Casan Evans kept Auburn off the scoreboard the rest of the day, but the offense could only push two runs across in the 8th inning.
The fifth inning was a missed opportunity for LSU.
Michael Braswell walked to lead off the inning. Auburn walked seven hitters and starter Andreas Alvarez hit two batters.
After the walk to Braswell, Chris Stanfield doubled. So, runners are at second and third with no outs and the top of the order coming up.
But Derek Curiel popped out. Jared Jones struck out. Ethan Frey walked, and Daniel Dickinson struck out to end LSU’s threat. A very frustrating inning.
Awful offensive numbers: LSU entered the series second in the SEC in hitting with a .328 batting average. But for the series, LSU hit .187. They were 18-for-96 with eight runs scored.
LSU left 26 men on base for the three-game series, and they were 4-for-27 with runners in scoring position.
Tough weekend for Jared Jones as he went 1-for-13 with 6 strikeouts and 2 RBIs. He was also caught stealing in the first inning on Sunday.
Bright spots: While LSU’s bats are slumping, the Tigers for the second straight weekend were terrific on the mound. Cowan and Evans were once again lights on Sunday. Conner Ware, Connor Benge and Jacob Mayers also pitched well.
During the season, hitting will come and go, but it’s a good sign to see quality pitching.
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Also, before SEC play started, you would take a 10-5 record at the halfway point. You just want more after winning the first 10-of-12 SEC games.
Also, it’s not easy to go back-to-back weekends on the road in the SEC. A 3-3 record is completely acceptable, but sweeping one weekend and getting swept the next weekend doesn’t taste good.
What’s next: After playing seven straight on the road, LSU will play the next nine games at home. The Tigers have won every midweek game this season, but they will be tested on Tuesday.
McNeese will bring the nation’s longest winning streak to Alex Box Stadium. The Cowboys have won 12 in a row and rallied from a 7-1 deficit on Sunday to beat UIW 14-7 in San Antonio. McNeese is 27-5 overall.
After McNeese, LSU hosts Alabama, who lost a series to Mississippi State.