How it happened: LSU starting pitcher Kade Anderson allowed four home runs as Bama built a four-run lead. But the Tigers responded with two three-run homers, one of them from an unlikely source in Ashton Larson as the Tigers defeated Alabama 11-6.
Magic moment: Two Alabama pitchers held LSU to one run through five innings and it looked bleak for LSU after the Crimson Tide grabbed a 5-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning.
But in the bottom of the 6th inning, Jake Brown got on base with a one out walk. Josh Pearson hit a pinch hit single to put two runners on base.
That’s when Coach Jay Johnson called on Larson, who had just one SEC at bat this season. Johnson went to Larson to get the lefty-righty match up and the left-handed hitter smoked an 0-1 pitch into the right field bleachers.
Larson’s home run swung the momentum: Alabama had a chance to respond in the top of the 7th inning. They had two runners in scoring position with their best hitter at the plate, but Justin Lebron was called out on strike three on a pitch that certainly looked low.
Alabama first base coach Mike Morrison was very displeased with the call from home plate umpire Darren Hyman. Hyman heard enough and ejected Morrison, which delighted the Alex Box Stadium crowd.
In the next half-inning, Stevan Milam hit his own three-run homer and you knew at that point LSU was not going to lose.
Long ball in play: In the LSU-Auburn three-game series, there were a total of two home runs. On Thursday night, Alabama and LSU combined to hit seven home runs.
LSU’s Kade Anderson had 10 strikeouts, but he’s been susceptible to the home run ball and allowed four of them on Thursday, including one to former LSU Tiger Brady Neal in his first at-bat back at the Box.
LSU has not been a team that’s waited around for the three-run homer this season. But they hit two of them on Thursday. Ethan Frey hit a two-run opposite field homer in the 8th inning.
Casan Evans excellent again: Eventually LSU freshman right-hander Casan Evans will not have a good outing. But it didn’t come on Thursday night. Evans entered the game in the 7th inning with LSU trailing by one run and LSU relief pitcher Jacob Mayers had just hit the lead-off man.
Evans also allowed a walk, but got out of the jam with the generous third strike call on Lebron to get out of the inning.
Evans was the winning pitcher (2-0) as he threw 2.1 innings. His ERA is down to 0.67. He only threw 35 pitches, so he could be used again in this series.
Johnson lifted Evans after he got the first our in the ninth inning.
But Connor Benge could not find the strike zone. He hit a batter, walked three and allowed a hit. Johnson had to bring in Zac Cowan to get the final out with the bases loaded and his fifth save.
What’s Next: LSU faces Alabama’s best starter in SEC play as they take on sophomore right-hander Riley Quick (5-1, 3.13 ERA). LSU counters with Anthony Eyanson (5-1) 3.78 ERA.
Standings:
* Texas 14-2
* Arkansas 12-4
* Tennessee 11-4
* LSU 11-5
* Georgia 10-6
