LSU erased a 5-0 deficit, scoring 10 unanswered runs and defeating Texas 10-5 at Alex Box Stadium. The Longhorns hit 3 home runs and pounded out 13 hits, but the Tigers took the second game of the series.
Chase Shugart received the start for the Longhorns and cruised through 4 innings before running into trouble in the 5th. The right hander lasted 4 ⅔ innings, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and received a no-decision. LSU starter Preston Gilbert also received a no-decision, allowing 5 runs on 10 hits.
Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. D.J Petrinsky led off the inning with an opposite field double. Zach Zubia then sent a line drive home run over the fence in left-center field, helping the Longhorns strike first.
Kody Clemens added on to the Texas lead by leading off the 3rd inning with a solo home run into the bleachers in RF, making the score 3-0.
In the 4th, Duke Ellis, who finished the game with 3 hits, led off inning with an infield single. A sacrifice bunt and ground-out moved Ellis to third base. After an intentional walk to Kody Clemens, Austin Todd beat out an infield single to stretch the Longhorns lead to 4-0.
Leading off the 5th inning, Zach Zubia hit his second home run of the night, a line drive shot into the seats in LF.
LSU responded in the bottom of the 5th with 5 runs of their own. Bryce Jordan recorded a 1 out single and advanced to second on a fielding error. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Brandt Broussard lined a single off of Shugart’s leg, allowing Jordan to score. Broussard promptly stole second and then was brought home by a tough hop RBI double by Hal Hughes. Following a groundout to record the second out of the inning, Austin Bain connected on a deep fly ball to CF that tipped off Ellis’ glove, scoring Broussard. The wild inning continued when Antoine Duplantis added a RBI triple and Hunter Feduccia tied the game with a RBI single.
In the 7th, the Tigers took the lead with a pair of runs. Nick Webre hit a 1 out double, and moved up third on a wild pitch. After a walk to Jordan, Bryce Elder uncorked his second wild pitch of the inning, giving LSU the lead. Beau Ridgeway then entered from the bullpen and allowed an RBI single to Broussard, extending the Tigers lead to 7-5.
LSU padded their lead in the 8th with 3 more runs. Daniel Cabrera led off with a solo home run to right field. After retiring the next two hitters, closer Beau Ridgeway surrendered a single and a walk, giving way to Bryce Verplank. Verplank then issued another walk to load the bases, and Bryce Jordan came through with a 2 run single, giving the Tigers the winning margin of 10-5.
Texas loaded the bases in the top of the 9th with 1 out, but Michael McCann popped out to SS and Sam Bertelson struck out to end the game.
After the game, head coach David Pierce talked about how his team can not afford to lose focus and let big innings snowball on them.
“We are definitely not good enough to drop our guard,” Pierce said. “We have to continue to play the game. We didn’t play the game to its entirety today…You can’t have your focus disappear in the middle of a game in one inning and have it snowball on you. Leadership has to take over there”
The Longhorns and Tigers will conclude their series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1PM. The pitching matchup will feature RHP Blair Henley vs RHP Todd Peterson. Follow along at Hornsports.com and on twitter for live updates.
