It looked like LSU got hosed and then they were celebrating a walk-off 12-11 victory when freshman Steven Milam skied a two-run homer over the left center field wall. What a game!
And don’t forget the Tigers rallied back from an 8-0 deficit to beat South Carolina for a second time during this remarkable run through the SEC Tournament.
First let’s go to the controversy. Runners at first and third in the top of the tenth inning. LSU’s Griffin Herring on the mound and South Carolina attempted to steal home with two outs and two strikes on the hitter.
Catcher Brady Neal reacts, takes a couple of steps forward to catch the pitch and tags out Blake Jackson trying to steal home.
It looks like the game will be tied heading into the bottom of the 10th. But the umpires ruled Herring balked and Neal was called for interference for coming out in front of the plate before the pitch, which allowed the go-ahead run to score.
Herring got out of the inning with a ground ball and LSU was motivated to win especially after watching head coach Jay Johnson get ejected.
Johnson said he was upset because it was not reviewable with instant replay.
“When things go wrong, I think the best you cand do is just pushing forward,” pitcher Will Hellmers said. The Jesuit High grad pitched two shutout innings of relief to give the Tigers a chance to win.
Hayden Travinski led off the bottom of the tenth inning by walking. But that sequence was not without controversy.
Travinski walked as a result of pitch clock violation as Garrett Gainey didn’t deliver a pitch in time. Gainey complained his pitch comm device didn’t work so he couldn’t throw a pitch.
Steven Milam came up to the plate, he actually thought assistant coach Nate Yeskie gave him the bunt signal twice, but he was up there swinging and lifted a fly ball over the left center field wall and wild celebration began.
Even Johnson came out of the locker room to celebrate with his team, the 40th victory of the season.
Johnson said after the game that this game was about toughness.
“The toughness this team has displayed since the middle of the season, we were in a tough spot and now we are one of the best teams in the country,” Johnson said.
LSU has turned into a very dangerous team as the NCAA Tournament begins next week.
They will likely be a two-seed and the number one seed in that four-team Regional will not be happy to see the Tigers.
But first a chance to win an SEC Tournament Championship. Who would have thought after a 3-and-12 start in SEC play?
