The LSU Baseball team returned home from Texas as the Nation's Top Ranked team and awaiting the Tigers were the North Dakota State Bison. The Bison have had a brutal start to the season but, on Tuesday Night they showed what it looks like when a team is looking to pull off the massive upset pushing LSU to the brink.
Conner Ware looked to be cruising but, a strikeout turned into a free base cost the Tigers in the first inning. The Bison tripled the runner home before plating another run on a single to left which made it 2-0. A hit batter and a pair of walks would cost LSU as it allowed North Dakota State to take a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second the Tigers would plate a run on a Chris Stanfield single which cut the deficit to 2. The issue was in the top of the third the Tigers would give a run right back as a wild pitch and interference by Michael Braswell allowed another runner to score ending Conner Ware's day.
After a long week of games, the Tigers did not get the length out of Conner Ware that Jay Johnson would've hoped for as he allowed four runs three of which were earned on two hits, five walks, with three strikeouts. Jaden Noot came on in relief and after recording an out he lost control allowing a run to score and loaded the bases leading Jay Johnson to bring on DJ Primeaux. Primeaux's defense let him down with an error allowing a pair to score putting the Tigers in a 7-1 hole.
The Tigers offense woke up and helped dig the staff out of its hole in the bottom half of the inning. After Jared Jones, Daniel Dickinson, and Josh Pearson walked to load the bases Steven Milam brought a run across on a double play. Jake Brown plated Daniel Dickinson on an error by the first baseman before Cade Arrambide hit his first career home run when LSU needed it most.
'BIDE BOMB 💣@ArrambideCade | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/Ff6snOjKwN
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 5, 2025
Primeaux recorded just one out while allowing two to reach bases in the Top of the Fourth which sent Jay Johnson back to his bullpen where he called on Chandler Dorsey for his first appearance of the season. Arrambide struggled behind the plate and two passed balls allowed a pair to score giving NDSU a 9-4 lead.
In the bottom of the 4th, Derek Curiel did what he does best working a walk and Daniel Dickinson came up and cut the deficit to three with another Home Run to Left Field.
Light Tower Power 💥@coopcoop_1 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/vZKZfN8IIH
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 5, 2025
In the 6th, LSU's top of the order loaded the bases before Josh Pearson brought a run home on a fielders choice putting LSU within a run. Monster Milam then came through with an RBI Double that found the only area of the outfield North Dakota State couldn't cover tying the game.
Hit it where they ain't. Tie ballgame.@Monster_Milam99 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/eD9Q8cfkRY
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 5, 2025
In the Top of the 8th the Tigers got themselves into some trouble after a lead off double but, Zac Cowan got a fly out, a lineout on a great play by Daniel Dickinson, and a fly out to center to keep the game knotted at 9.
In the bottom half of the 8th inning, LSU was able to load the bases for Steven Milam and he came through with a massive two RBI double, giving LSU its first lead of the day at 11-9. In the bottom half of the ninth, Jay Johnson handed the game over to Casan Evans who has emerged as LSU's closer. Evans plunked the leadoff batter putting the tying run at the plate but retired the next three batters.
This was a rough game for the Tigers' pitching staff as LSU's staff gave up 9 runs, 6 hits, and 11 walks to a team that was hitting below .200 coming into this game. The battery wasn't in sync for most of the game as passed balls cost LSU bases and eventually runs, which could've hurt the Tigers against a better opponent.
Chandler Dorsey and Zac Cowan were massive for the Tigers allowing just two runners to reach base across 4.2 innings pitched in a game where LSU nearly had to use every reliever.
This was a great game for Jay Johnson to see what his team is truly made of and the Tigers offense answered the bell continuing to push runs across when the team easily could've lost its focus. Steven Milam, Cade Arrambide, and Daniel Dickinson powered the Tigers offense with massive hits in this game. Jared Jones was so impressive not chasing as he took three walks and scored three runs.
The Tigers will look to clean up their mistakes as the Tigers and the Bison face off again on Wednesday Night.