How it happened: LSU could only muster three hits in the first eight innings, but two errors by Tennessee third baseman Dean Curley sparked a six-run rally in the ninth inning by the Tigers, capped off by a monstrous three-run home run by Jared Jones for a 6-3 win over Tennessee 1:15 in the morning.
What a 9th inning: LSU was three outs away from suffering its first home shutout loss since 2021. But Ethan Frey led off the inning by reaching on a throwing error by Curley. Steven Milam struck out and then Jake Brown reached on a fielding error by Curley. Curley now has a team-high 11 errors.
Tanner Reaves drew a walk and then Coach Jay Johnson called on little used Dalton Beck to pinch hit for catcher Cade Arrambide.
Beck rifled a single over the head of losing pitcher Nate Snead into center field to drive in two runs.
Chris Stanfield flew out for the second out. But freshman Derek Curiel hit a two-strike single through the right side of the infield to tie the game.
And then Jared Jones hit one of the longest home runs ever seen at Alex Box Stadium as he drilled a fastball over the batter’s eye in center field to set off a wild celebration with LSU fans who withstood a three-plus weather delay for the game to start.
According to LSU Baseball Data, Jones’ home run went 452 feet, with 111 miles per hour exit velocity and the maximum height was 99 feet.
Jones has been scuffling at the plate, but coach Jay Johnson said Jones has been putting in the work
“If I had a body like that I would probably swing for the moon too, but the beautiful thing about that was a very short stroke, with his strength and it was on time on Snead’s fastball, straight way center field and that’s hard to do here especially at 1:10 AM,” Johnson said.
Two great starting pitching performances: Tigers starting pitcher Kade Anderson was really good, as he struck out 11 in 7.1 innings. Tennessee starter Liam Doyle was dominant, as the left-hander allowed one hit in 6.2 innings.
Rare victory: According to LSU statistician Todd Politz, it’s just the third time LSU has won a game when trailing by three or more runs and held scoreless through eight innings.
The other two times were in May of 2008 when LSU beat South Carolina in the SEC tournament 5-4 in 10 innings after trailing 4-0 in the ninth inning.
In 1991, LSU beat Ole Miss 7-3 after trailing 3-0 in the ninth inning.
Up Next: LSU can clinch the series with a win tonight against Tennessee. Game two is at 7 PM. Anthony Eyanson will start for LSU. Marcus Phillips, who has an ERA of 2.96 will pitch for the Vols. It will be interesting to see how Tennessee will bounce back from this loss. It was a real gut punch as they’ve lost three in a row.
