LSU on the wrong end of Paul Mainieri magic in 6-5 walk-off loss

How it happened: For the second consecutive road game, LSU relief pitcher Zac Cowan blew a save as a struggling South Carolina squad rose to the occasion by rallying from a two-run deficit in the eighth inning to beat walk off the Tigers in the ninth inning 6-5.

Turning point: It seemed like LSU was in good position when it scored two runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-3 lead. Chase Shores gave away to LSU closer Zac Cowan, who gave up a lead-off triple and at that point you knew South Carolina would not go away quietly.

The Gamecocks got one run in the eighth inning.

In the ninth inning, the number 8 hitter KJ Scobey homered with one out to tie the game. The next batter, Jase Woita, tripled off the left field wall. Pinch-runner Dalton Mashore scored one batter later on a wild pitch.

Frustrating loss: This goes down as the most frustrating loss of the season for the Tigers. LSU’s offense didn’t do much after Daniel Dickinson’s two-run homer in the first inning.

In the 5th inning, LSU had two hits and two walks, but only scored one run, because two runners were thrown out trying to go from first to third base on singles. Those runners were Michael Braswell and Derek Curiel.

Conner Ware had a rough start for LSU as he walked four and allowed a run and Cowan simply didn’t have it.

Mainieri magic: It’s been a rough season for former LSU coach Paul Mainieri in his first year as the head coach at South Carolina. But they are showing fight at the end of the season, despite a 6-22 SEC record.

The Gamecocks rallied from a four-run deficit by scoring five runs in the eighth inning to beat Winthrop 6-5 on Tuesday night. And then on Thursday night, South Carolina comes from behind late to beat the number one ranked LSU.

Mainieri didn’t show much emotion as his players celebrated the victory. But you know down deep this one meant something to him.

Positive notes: Jaden Noot continues to pitch well and retired 12 in a row at one point as he relieved Ware. Noot struck out five over four innings.

Chase Shores had another solid outing out of the bullpen. Michael Braswell had three hits against his former team.

Ramifications of the loss: It’s believed LSU needs 19 wins to secure a Top 8 national seed. They can still get there if they win the final two games of this series. Kade Anderson will pitch on Friday and Anthony Eyanson starts on Saturday.

Let’s see if the bats can break out a little bit more on the road for LSU to win this series.