When LSU fans saw LSU Vs DBU on the schedule, it wasn't the LSU Football Spring game, it was the 2nd ranked LSU Baseball team facing off against 19th ranked Dallas Baptist University. In LSU's first ranked matchup of the year, LSU fans got to see the explosive offense they were hoping to see while the pitching staff was solid giving LSU a massive win early in the year.
Jay Johnson made the decision to move Derek Curiel and Jared Jones to 1st and 2nd in the Tigers order and it panned out almost instantly as Curiel drew a walk and Jared Jones doubled to the gap in left center putting the Tigers up 1-0 in the first.
The game then stayed quiet until the fifth inning as Conner Ware and Ryan Borberg settled into the game. In the top of the fifth inning, LSU sent every batter to the plate as LSU put on a hitting display. With two on and two out, Jay Johnson made the decision to pinch hit Ethan Frey for Ashton Larson and it worked as Frey doubled to left center driving in Derek Curiel. Daniel Dickinson then smashed one down the line in left clearing the wall to give LSU a 4-0 lead.
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LSU would put another two on base and Johnson again went to his bench calling on John Pearson who delivered with and RBI single that put LSU up 5-0.
The issue for the Tigers was that the long inning saw Conner Ware spend a long time on the bench and when he returned Grant Jay jumped him for a long home run which ended Ware's day. Ware was solid for the Tigers pitching four innings allowing just one hit and a run while striking out 6.
Zac Cowan was the next man up out of the bullpen for the Tigers and after an error by Jared Jones the Patriots made LSU pay with a two run blast by Jake Bennett which made it a 5-3 game. After that point, Cowan found a rhythm and gave the Tigers three innings out of the bullpen allowing two hits, two runs, and a walk while striking out five.
In the sixth inning, LSU was able to get back two of the runs they gave up making Dallas Baptist pay for errors and free passes. The Tigers were able to load the bases in the 7th and 8th innings but, were unable to scratch a run across either time.
In the bottom of the 8th, Jay Johnson turned the ball over to Cooper Williams who walked a pair before getting an out which caused Johnson to go to Casan Evans. Evans was able to work his way out of the jam getting a ground out before Jared Jones grabbed a ball that was ripped right at him turning an unassisted double play. After a dominant 8th inning, Evans got to work the 9th inning striking out a pair and getting a bounce out to seal it.
Daniel Dickinson continues to be such a massive addition for the Tigers as he had a 2-4 day at the plate with a Home Run, 3 RBIs, and a walk while making some incredible plays in the field. LSU fans should thank their lucky stars every day that Derek Curiel made it to campus as the Freshman continues to impress with a 2-3 day at the plate while walking twice. Jared Jones reached base four times himself going 2-4 at the plate with an RBI and a pair of walks.
This was LSU's toughest opponent to date and the Tigers responded exactly how you'd hope they would. Dallas Baptist is a team LSU could face again deep in the NCAA Tournament and given how they handled this game its exciting to see.
The Tigers now get to travel to Frisco, Texas to take on Kansas State, Nebraska, and Sam Houston in the Frisco College Baseball Classic.