It might be a while before you see an LSU pitching performance like the one Kade Anderson delivered on Thursday night. Anderson struck out 14 and scattered five hits in a complete game shutout as the Tigers took game one of the series 2-0.
It’s the first complete game shutout for LSU since AJ Labas did it against Lamar on April 24, 2018.
The Tigers are 8-2 in the SEC. Best start in league play since 2013.
Anderson threw a staggering 135 pitches, which you might not ever see again at LSU, when getting to the 7th inning as a starting pitcher is an accomplishment.
Ninety-one of Anderson’s 135 pitches were strikes.
Anderson’s only real trouble came in the first inning. Oklahoma loaded the bases with one out. LSU pitching coach Nate Yeskie went to the mound to talk with Anderson and the former St. Paul’s star struck out the next two hitters to get out of the inning.
Anderson retired the last 12 hitters he faced. If a runner got on base in the final three innings, Coach Jay Johnson would have likely gone to the bullpen at that point.
He also did it against a team that likes to steal bases, sacrifice bunt, move runners from first to third on singles.
But only once did Anderson let the lead-off man aboard and that was in the sixth, a double.
Anderson also did it on a night when he was opposing one of the best pitchers in the country. Oklahoma right-hander and future first round draft pick Kyson Witherspoon allowed two runs in six innings.
Anderson, who gave up three home runs last week, showed he can bounce back, and he solidifies himself as one of the top draft eligible sophomores in the country.
LSU scored single runs in the third and fifth innings.
In the third inning, Derek Curiel doubled with two outs and then on a full count Jared Jones went the other away for an RBI single into right field.
In the fifth inning, Chris Stanfield doubled home Luis Hernandez, who led off the inning with a double.
It’s the second time in four games that LSU won and only scored two runs.
Game 2 of the series is Friday night at 6:30, weather permitting.
Anthony Eyanson, who is coming off a 12-strike out performance, will start for the Tigers. LSU will also have its full complement of bullpen arms, including Casan Evans and Zac Cowan.
Oklahoma is scheduled to start left-hander Cade Crossland (1-1 6.66 ERA.)
