Just when you thought the LSU losses couldn’t get any tougher to take, LSU found a new way to blow a big lead.
On Friday, LSU could not hold on to a four-run lead and lost in extra innings. On Saturday, LSU sees a five-run lead disappear and loses to Mississippi State 9-8.
The Tigers have lost eight straight SEC games in a row, the longest such losing streak since 1977.
Bullpen blows it: LSU led 7-2 heading into the bottom of the 7th inning thanks to two three-run homers. One by Cade Arrambide and the other by Eddie Yamin IV. Both were opposite-field shots.
But it all unraveled in the 7th inning. Remember, LSU used its best relievers on Friday, and the secondary guys couldn’t get the job done on Saturday.
Ethan Plog was on the mound to begin the bottom of the 7th inning and gave up back-to-back hits. Coach Jay Johnson went to Conner Benge, who allowed a hit and walked the next batter on four pitches.
Johnson then brought in left-hander Cooper Williams, who fell behind 2-0 to Jacob Parker.
Williams then hung one up to Parker, who lifted the pitch over the right-field wall, resulting in a tie ballgame and a wild celebration inside Dudy Noble Field.
Mississippi State completed the comeback in the 8th inning, scoring two runs off of Grant Fontenot, who suffered the loss.
Noah Sullivan drove in the go-ahead run with a solid single to center field. There might have been a play at the plate, but for some reason, LSU shortstop Steven Milam tried to cut off Derek Curiel’s throw to the plate.
The Bulldogs added an insurance run on the next play when Tanner Reaves could not handle a slow chopper up the third-base line.
What’s Next: LSU is 6-14 in the SEC and on the verge of being swept for a third consecutive series. It’s turned into a nightmare season for the Tigers, who cannot figure out a way to win.
Freshman Marcos Paz will likely get the start on Sunday.
William Schmidt was ok on Saturday as he allowed two runs over four innings. He was removed after his pitch count reached 89. They really needed some length from Schmidt after using seven pitchers on Friday.
First pitch on Sunday is at 1 PM.
