Early season losses happen in every College Baseball season as the sport can be weird at times even for a team as talented as LSU. The Tigers lost their first game of the season on Saturday against Omaha which is fine but, none of the fans were expecting to see what unfolded. The Tigers were held hitless by Omaha through 7.2 innings before Ashton Larson got the Tigers' first hit of the day.
The Tigers loaded the bases in the first two innings without bringing a run home which was instantly alarming for LSU Baseball fans. The Mavericks gave LSU plenty of chances early on in this game walking 6 Tigers and hitting two Tigers by pitches but, LSU was never able to cash in on their chances early on.
The Tigers put themselves in a massive hole in the 7th inning as the bullpen had its first rough game of the year and it cost LSU the game.
Grant Fontenot was called on after Eyanson finished his day but, two walks by the Junior put LSU in trouble forcing Jay Johnson to bring on Connor Benge. Before Benge threw a pitch LSU got itself into trouble overthrowing a pickoff attempt into centerfield putting runners on 1st and 3rd. The Mavericks drew first blood on a base hit to left before a wild pitch put the Mavericks up 2-0 over LSU. Connor Benge looked to be out of trouble before Jackson Trout jumped on a fastball making it 5-0 Omaha.
The Tigers only struck out six times in this game which makes it surprising that they struggled so much at the plate but, it felt like LSU couldn't square up anything in this game until the 9th inning.
The Tigers started off the Ninth with the bottom of the order due up but, Tanner Reaves laced a pinch hit single down the line, Jake Brown doubled to left field, and Ryan Costello walked to load the bases for the top of the order. Daniel Dickinson pushed the first runs across for the Tigers lacing a double past the third baseman making it 5-2 Omaha.
Derek Curiel drew a walk to load the bases again before Jared Jones drove in a run with a single to left field. Josh Pearson's sacrifice fly to center field put LSU within a run of Omaha. Curiel then took off for third base on a ball in the dirt moving 90 feet away from tying the game Unfortunately, Curiel was left on third as LSU couldn't push the tying run across.
Anthony Eyanson started this game on the mound for the Tigers and gave Jay Johnson exactly what the Tigers needed. Eyanson went 6 innings allowing just three hits and two walks without allowing a run while striking out 7. Through two starts Eyanson has pitched 11 innings striking out 14 batters with a 0.82 ERA.
It's a quick turnaround for the LSU Baseball team who faces off against Omaha at 5:00 PM Central Time on Saturday Night and the fans will be desperate to see some offense as LSU has struggled in this series.