The LSU Tigers handled business on Tuesday night in a 15-5 run-rule victory over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Omar Serna Jr. starred with his walk-off baserunning.
The LSU Tigers stumbled out of the gate, but recovered quickly and hung on for a 12-5 win in Tuesday night's midweek matchup against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
If for nothing else than confidence, this was a must-win game for the Tigers. Now, they improve to 17-9 on the year and can focus on this weekend as they host the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats.
It started with a sequence that would make any LSU fan groan as they remembered the losses this year. The leadoff batter was walked, then the next batter hit a single, which led to a throwing error at third, which set up a free run and a sac fly on the next at-bat to go down 2-0 to the Bulldogs.
They got out of the inning and, in much-needed fashion, the offense actually responded and tied the game back up. John Pearson hit a two-run single out of the five-hole.
Then, in the second inning, the Tigers gave themselves a cushion that Louisiana Tech never came back from with a five-spot. Steven Milam got a lead-off hit, and Trent Caraway hit a double before there were two outs. LSU then just manufactured runs from field mistakes and good at-bats.
It was another step forward for Omar Serna Jr., who was 2-for-6 with 2 RBI and scored the final run on an incredible show of elusiveness at the plate for a freshman catcher, being driven in by Dereik Curiel. He showed off the athleticism that makes his future so exciting, when paired with his .286 bat and power potential.
Ethan Plog picked up a win for smoothing the sails after the rocky start, pitching two innings of no-hit ball. Zion Theophilus also went two innings, giving up two hits but no runs and striking out two.