Last season, the Southern Jaguars shocked LSU beating the Tigers 11-7 as LSU couldn't get anyone out. The Tigers were seeking revenge on Tuesday and while the pitching was a clear step ahead of where it was last season, the offense exploded and gave Southern no chance as LSU flooded the bases.
Jay Johnson started transfer Connor Ware in this game as he made his LSU Tigers debut. Ware carried his stellar offseason into this game pitching three innings facing just ten batters without allowing a hit while striking out a pair.
Chris Stanfield started off the Tigers offense with an infield dribbler that resulted in Stanfield making it to second base as his speed causes defenders to rush throws and make mistakes. Derek Curiel instantly made Southern pay for its mistake with an RBI single to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. A throwing error would put Curiel on second, a Jared Jones single moved him to second, and then Curiel scored on a balk to make it 2-0 in the first.
In the third the Tigers would make Southern pay for its errors once again as Daniel Dickinson reached on an error followed by an error and an Ethan Frey single moved him to third where Josh Pearson brought him home on a sac fly.
The Tigers exploded in the fourth inning as Chris Stanfield, Derek Curiel, and Jared Jones all reached on walks and hit by pitches. Daniel Dickinson proved to be Mr. Reliable once again driving in a pair with a single. Ethan Frey then cleared the bases with a blast to deep left field putting LSU up 8-0 over the Jaguars.
If it's fair, it's gone 👋@ethanfrey_16 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/c5ARgeLcu5
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) February 18, 2025
LSU then scored another run as a Steven Milam triple allowed Josh Pearson to score from third with ease. Southern had little they could do as LSU was hitting everything yet, after they walked Cade Arrambide and Mic Paul, Derek Curiel brought two runs home with a two-RBI single to right putting Southern in mercy territory as LSU led 11-0.
In the 5th inning, Ashton Larson would show off his wheels scoring from second base to give the Tigers a 12-0 lead.
Zac Cowan was the next pitcher to make his debut and he gave Jay Johnson quick two innings without allowing a base runner striking out a pair. In his third inning, Cowan faced danger for the first time allowing a run on a wild pitch which made the score 13-1 but, he worked his way out of danger.
After scoring a 13th run as Southern walked in Mic Paul, Jay Johnson handed the ball over to Kade Woods who struck out two of the final three batters to give LSU a 13-1 win in seven innings.
Derek Curiel was incredible for the Tigers at the top of the order going 3-3 at the plate with 3 RBIs and a hit by pitch. Chris Stanfield looks to be locked in as LSU's leadoff hitter posting a 2-2 day at the plate while drawing a walk. As Ethan Frey and Ashton Larson continue to push for playing time they continue to push for playing time as Frey went 3-4 with 3 hits one of which was a homerun and 4 RBIs while Larson went 0-1 but, walked and flashed his speed on the bases. Steven Milam broke out of his slump with a 2-3 day at the plate with an RBI triple.
The LSU Tigers head on the road for the first time this season on Wednesday as they take on Nicholls State at 6:30 PM Central Time.