LSU Baseball fans who committed to attending LSU's Friday night matchup against Arkansas found themselves committed to a multi-day affair as rain pushed the start time to 9:57. As LSU fans have seen this season, any game that's going to run into the next morning has been magical for the LSU baseball team and flips the game. On Saturday Morning, LSU provided that magic again walking off Arkansas to take 1 of the 3 game set.
Chris Stanfield led the third inning off with a double giving the Tigers a great chance to drive a run in after stranding a lead off double in the second. This time, Jared Jones came through for the Tigers dropping a single between the second baseman and the right fielder to give LSU a 1-0 lead.
This game would be a back and fourth constantly as LSU found out in the top of the 4th inning as Cam Kozeal beat Kade Anderson with a solo shot to left center. The Tigers answered right back with a solo shot of their own as Ethan Frey hit a laser over the wall in right center putting LSU back up a run.
Arkansas took control of the game starting in the 5th inning pushing LSU to the brink in this matchup. Two base hits in the 5th inning hurt Kade Anderson as the Razorbacks would tie the game on a sacrifice fly to center. In the 6th inning, Kuhio Aloy blasted a solo home run to left field giving, Razorbacks their first lead of the game. In the 7th inning, a wild pitch hurt LSU once again as the Razorbacks were able to take a 4-2 lead on a ground out to third base.
The 6th inning took the air out of Alex Box Stadium however, and it wasn't because of Aloy's solo home run. Kade Anderson struck out his 10th batter of the game and immediatley was holding his wrist which had everyone in attendance and watching at home holding their breath. Anderson would throw a few warmup pitches and depart the game which had LSU fans fearing the worst. After the game, Jay Johnson said there's no reason to concern and Anderson did return to the dugout after being evaluated which was massive news.
In the 7th inning, as Friday turned to Saturday, the late-night magic at the Box showed up for the Tigers. A Jake Brown pinch-hit infield single, followed by walks by Stevan Milam and Chris Stanfield, loaded the bases for the top of the order. Derek Curiel came through with a massive 2 RBI single, tying the game at 4.
From that point on, this game became a duel between Gabe Gaeckle and Zac Cowan as two pitchers who could start on Friday's game shoved out of the bullpen. Gaeckle would allow just one base runner through the ninth inning, heading up his end of the bargain. Zac Cowan kept Arkansas off the board through the Top of the 10th giving LSU every chance to win this game.
While Jared Jones didn't give LSU the massive walk-off home run over the batter's eye, he hit a leadoff single, putting LSU in business. A wild pitch then set LSU up with 3 chances to win the game, and while Daniel Dickinson couldn't get the bunt down, he hit a dribbler to first base, which put Jones 90 feet from the plate. The red-hot Ethan Frey then came up and delivered a magic moment with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, which was just far enough to score Jones and walk off the Razorbacks.
The Tigers' offense was able to string it together once again late in a game which is encouraging with Postseason play around the corner. The bottom of the order was especially impressive as they were able to load the bases when the Tigers needed it most while also taking the free passes they were given rather than trying to be the hero.
Kade Anderson turned in another solid start against one of the Nation's best teams, giving LSU 5.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and a walk while striking out 10. Chase Shores bridged the gap for the Tigers, going 1.1 innings allowing just a run, but he limited damage, which allowed LSU to tie the game on offense to deploy Zac Cowan. After two shaky outings last weekend, the dominant Zac Cowan returned as he gave LSU 3 scoreless innings, allowing LSU several chances at winning this game.
Jay Johnson now turns to Anthony Eyanson coming off of his best start of the season to give the Tigers another stellar showing to give LSU a chance at picking up a massive series win.