After back-to-back 6-4 wins to open the series against top ranked Texas A&M, LSU fans started daydreaming about going on a run in May that could put the Tigers back in play for hosting a regional.
But a nightmarish 5th inning Sunday was a cold glass of water on that dream on a warm afternoon in Baton Rouge.
LSU was humming a long in game three of the series leading 3-0, but the top ranked Aggies flexed their muscle in the fifth inning to score nine runs and went on to win 14-4 to salvage the final game of the series.
LSU’s pitching was impressive, until it wasn’t in the 5th inning.
Sam Dutton looked good for two innings, but then gave up four runs in the 5th inning. Justin Loer allowed three runs and recorded only one out. Another rough outing for Thatcher Hurd as he gave up two runs and Aiden Moffett finally got out of the inning.
But take away that miserable fifth inning on Cinco de Mayo, and LSU played to the level we all expected heading into the season.
They got great starting pitching from Gage Jump and Luke Holman. Holman walked five, but struck out ten. Jump gave up three home runs, but they were all solo shots as LSU pitching did not walk anyone on Friday.
Griffin Herring and Christian Little were fantastic out of the bullpen on Friday and Saturday respectively.
We also saw clutch hitting. A huge two-run double by Josh Pearson in the 6th inning to give LSU the lead.
On Saturday, LSU scored five of its six runs after two outs, including a three-run third. That rally started with two outs and nobody on, but Tommy White and Jared Jones went back-to-back to jump start a great victory.
LSU is now 9-15 in the SEC. Two games ahead of Missouri for the final spot in the SEC tournament.
With six conference games left they are in a good spot to get in the SEC Tournament, but they need to get to at least 13 league wins to give them a chance at a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
It’s doable with a series at Alabama coming up this weekend and then wrapping up the regular season against Ole Miss. They are both winnable series and the possibility of winning four more conference games is stronger after seeing the Tigers go toe-to-toe against the top ranked Aggies.