On Tuesday Night, the LSU Tigers played host to the Xavier Musketeers in the final game before SEC Play kicks off. The game looked to be exciting as Freshman Phenom William Schmidt was on the mound for the Tigers but, if the plan was for this to be a close game LSU's offense clearly had another idea.
When the Tigers got to the plate in the bottom of the first it was clear pretty quickly that Xavier was in trouble. Derek Curiel doubled to start the game and Xavier saw what happens when you pitch to Jared Jones blasted one to centerfield to make it 2-0 LSU.
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Before Jared Jones' home run ball landed Daniel Dickinson went back to back blasting one to Left Centerfield.
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The scoring wasn't even close to over in the first inning as the Tigers sent ten to the plate scoring 7 runs as Jake Brown, Chris Stanfield, and Derek Curiel drove in runs.
In the second inning, LSU jumped right back on Xavier with a two out rally as Josh Pearson and Steven Milam reached allowing Jake Brown to drive in a run. Luis Hernandez then made it 10-0 LSU with a 2 RBI double to left field.
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The third inning was another explosion for the Tigers as LSU plated another 7 to make it 17-0 LSU. Xavier gifted the Tigers a pair of runs with a bases loaded walk and a bases loaded hit by pitch. Jake Brown would single to bring home the third run of the inning setting the table for Tanner Reaves who blasted a grand slam to right field.
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Xavier was able to get some positive momentum, plating a pair against Conner Ware but, Mavrick Rizy was able to get LSU out of the inning, limiting the damage. In the bottom half of the inning, the Tigers were able to get a run back on a Michael Braswell sacrifice fly.
The Tigers offense went quiet in the 5th and 6th innings as Jay Johnson made substitutions while LSU's Pitching Staff held the Musketeers scoreless. In the top of the 7th, Xavier was the first team to crack Casan Evans driving in a pair of runs but, LSU's 18-4 lead was big enough to clinch the run rule victory for LSU.
This game was everything you could ask for from LSU's offense as they scored 18 runs on 18 hits and 7 walks in 7 innings which is beyond impressive. Derek Curiel, Jared Jones, and Daniel Dickinson continue to power this offense as Curiel went 3-3, Jones went 3-4 with a Home Run, and Daniel Dickinson went 1-2 with a Home Run. The two players catching fire as of late are Jake Brown and Josh Peason who continue to give LSU great at-bats in the bottom half of the lineup.
The pitching situation was weird as Jay Johnson said the long wait between the first and second inning caused him to end William Schmidt's day after a scoreless first inning. Jaden Noot, Mavrick Rizy, and Jacob Mayers gave the Tigers solid outings but, Conner Ware had another rough outing while seeing Casan Evans give up runs was a surprise.
The Tigers now have a few games off before kicking off SEC Play on Friday Night in Baton Rouge against the Missouri Tigers.