After Wednesday's Game was canceled, the LSU Baseball team was finally back in action on Friday Night as they kicked off their weekend series with the Omaha Mavericks. While Omaha hasn't had the best start to the season, early on any team can put a scare into the best teams and in this game, LSU played its first close game of the season.
The Tigers got on the board early scoring a pair of runs in the second inning as Jake Brown drove in Steven Milam before Luis Hernandez grounded into a double play which scored Michael Braswell II. In the fourth inning, Hernandez would get an RBI driving in Jake Brown on a double down the line. The Tigers tacked on another run in the fifth inning as Steven Milam hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Jared Jones.
Kade Anderson was on the mound for the Tigers and for the most part he looked every bit of LSU's Friday starter. Through the first five innings Kade Anderson was dealing avoiding trouble while striking out batter after batter. In the 6th inning, Anderson started to get worn down walking a pair of Mavericks and allowing a pair of base hits to bring the score to 4-1. Anderson finished the day pitching 5.1 innings allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs while striking out 8 but, he left the bases loaded.
Given the close nature of the game, it was the first time we got to see what Jay Johnson did with his relievers. Connor Benge was called on to work LSU out of the bases loaded jam and he did his part getting a pop out to center and a groundout but, a runner did score on the sacrifice fly to center cutting LSU's lead to 2. Mavrick Rizy was next to face off against the Mavericks and after allowing a leadoff single, he was overpowering making quick work of Omaha in the 7th.
In the bottom of the 7th, LSU threatened loading the bases for Michale Braswell II but, he was unable to put the ball in play.
Casan Evans was called on in the 8th inning and was nasty walking one but, striking out three giving LSU another chance to extend their lead. The Tigers once again got runners into scoring position but, Chris Stanfield and Derek Curiel were unable to drive the run home. After his dominant 8th, Jay Johnson called upon Casan Evans once again in the 9th and it proved to be the right call as Evans quickly dismantled the Mavericks.
It was a tough day at the office for LSU's offense as the Tigers were able to string together 7 hits and 7 walks but, only four runs. Derek Curiel, Jake Brown, and Luis Hernandez carried the offense combining for 6 hits and a pair of RBIs.
The relievers continue to be the Tigers biggest strength combining to pitch 3.2 innings of scoreless baseball allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out 6 Mavericks. Jay Johnson has an arsenal of incredible relief options which gives LSU a shot on any day against any team.
The Tigers are back in action on Saturday as they'll face Omaha in a Double Header as the weather Sunday pushed the game to Saturday.