The LSU Tigers headed West for their first road series of the season facing off against the 5th ranked Texas Longhorns. While LSU has played some pretty big games to this point in the year, a Friday Night on the road in Austin provided the biggest challenge on paper.
Both teams started this game off slow, recording hits and walks but, the Texas Longhorns finally drew first blood in the bottom of the third inning as Kade Anderson gave up a pair of two out singles which allowed a runner to score.
LSU then took tied the game up and took the lead instantly as Luis Hernandez blasted a two run home run to left and from that point on it was all LSU.
Papi Homers In Austin 💥@_lh_13 | SECN pic.twitter.com/rE8HGmyBrq
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 22, 2025
In the 5th inning, LSU would tack on a pair of runs as Josh Pearson's sacrifice fly scored Daniel Dickinson before Luis Hernandez's single scored Ethan Frey.
Mid 5 | Luis comes through again with an RBI single!
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 22, 2025
LSU - 4
TEX - 1
📺 SECN pic.twitter.com/iWcNWti2fX
In the 6th inning, Texas's Rylan Galvan got Kade Anderson taking him deep making it 4-2 as Anderson's game appeared to be over. Despite the home run, Jay Johnson let his ace go the deepest he has thus far in his career and on his 101st pitch of the night, Kade Anderson was able to close out his day with a disgusting breaking ball for his 8th strikeout of the game.
After the Tigers got out of the inning, Kade Anderson's teammates went out and ensured he'd pick up the win for his performance. Michael Braswell laid down the perfect safety squeeze bunt but, Texas was so thrown off that it'll go in the scorebooks as an RBI single. Chris Stanfield then doubled down the line scoring Luis Hernandez which made it 6-2 LSU.
Chef's Kiss 🤌@brazzy_11 | SECN pic.twitter.com/932VJ9Obsw
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 22, 2025
The Longhorns then made one of the dumbest decisions they could've made choosing to pitch to Jared Jones with first base open and he instantly put the game on ice with a 2 RBI single which made it 8-2 LSU.
Zac Cowan came on in relief of Kade Anderson and was brilliant in his own right for Jay Johnson. Cowan pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out 3 which will allow LSU to use the rest of its bullpen the rest of the weekend.
Kade Anderson had the perfect performance for LSU as he gave the Tigers a chance to win this game while Jay Johnson didn't need to dip into the bullpen early. Anderson gave the Tigers 6 innings of 2 run ball, allowing 7 hits and no walks while striking out 8.
In this game, LSU put constant pressure on Texas' pitching staff as 6 of the 9 leadoff batters reached base. The Tigers were able to string together 13 hits, 8 walks, and use the sacrifice bunt often to push 9 runs across for the win.
The biggest concern leaving this game is that Luis Hernandez may transfer to Texas if he likes hitting there this much as he went 3-4 at the plate with a home run, 3 RBIs, and a pair of runs scored. Derek Curiel set the tone to start the game with a 9 pitch walk and continue to impress going 2-4 with a walk and a hit by pitch in this game.
It's a quick turnaround for Jay Johnson's Tigers as LSU will face off with Texas on Saturday Night at 6:00 PM.