LSU defeated Louisiana Tech, 15-5, on Mar. 24 at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. The game ended in the bottom of the eighth inning due to the 10-run rule. LSU’s season record improved to 17-9 while Louisiana Tech fell to 15-11.
The win is significant as it demonstrates LSU’s offensive strength and ability to respond after an early deficit. The Tigers will next face Kentucky in a three-game Southeastern Conference series beginning Friday at Alex Box Stadium.
First baseman Zach Yorke led LSU’s offense with two home runs and four runs batted in during a night where the team collected fourteen hits. Outfielders Jake Brown and Derek Curiel, catcher Omar Serna Jr., and third baseman John Pearson each contributed two runs batted in. Curiel also recorded three hits including two doubles and scored once, while shortstop Steven Milam added three hits and scored twice.
After trailing by two runs entering the bottom of the first inning, LSU tied the game with Pearson’s two-out single before taking a lead they would not give up following Brown’s hit in the second inning. Reliever Ethan Plog earned his second win of the season by pitching two scoreless innings after entering early in relief.
“Ethan really picked us up to get us off the field in the first inning,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “And we immediately scored two runs, and then he three-up, three-down in the top of the second.” Johnson also said: “On the offensive side, the story of the game was our two-out hitting with runners in scoring position. John’s hit early, Jake’s hit early and obviously the two home runs by Zach were great.”
Louisiana Tech reliever Connor Nation took his first loss after allowing five runs—two earned—in less than an inning pitched.
