On Thursday, the LSU Baseball team looked to return to the win column in SEC play after dropping last weekend's series against Texas. LSU sent its ace Kade Anderson to the mound and he didn't have his best day which made it interesting to see how LSU would respond. While LSU's ace wasn't able to get it done, the Tigers needed to step up and respond and they did.
The Bulldogs jumped on Kade Anderson early as Ace Reese hit a two run home run to right field to make it 2-0 Mississippi State. In the top of the second, Joe Powell took Kade Anderson deep hitting a solo shot to left center to make it 3-0 Bulldogs.
The LSU Baseball team was able to cut into Mississippi State's lead in the bottom of the 2nd on a double steal scoring Jake Brown.
Hunter Hines was next to take Kade Anderson deep in the top of the third pushing the lead back to three. Derek Curiel was able to then push the deficit back to two runs with a solo shot of his own to left field.
Oppo Taco 🌮@DerekCuriel | SECN pic.twitter.com/5nvY45uqj3
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 28, 2025
In the fourth inning, Mississippi State pushed another run across on a sacrifice fly before adding another run in the 5th inning on a RBI double.
LSU's offense then woke up and took this game over helping guide LSU to victory picking up Kade Anderson. The Tigers got two runners on for Daniel Dickinson who blasted a three run home run to left field to cut the deficit to 1. Jake Brown then got on for Steven Milam who joined the home run fest with a shot to left giving LSU their first lead of the game and the Tigers wouldn't surrender it again.
DANIEL. COOPER. DICKINSON. 😤@coopcoop_1 | SECN pic.twitter.com/SJ6WaoZPm8
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 28, 2025
In the bottom of the 8th inning, Tanner Reaves was able to score on a wild pitch which gave LSU an 8-6 lead which would be the final score.
After Kade Anderson was only able to go 4.1 innings pitched allowing 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5 batters, LSU turned to Connor Benge who was able to close out the 5th giving LSU the chance to explode in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After LSU took the lead in the 5th, Jay Johnson rode his best pitcher, Zac Cowan, and he rewarded Johnson with one of the best relief appearances you could ask for. Cowan pitched the final four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven in a dominant performance. It becomes clear every time Cowan takes the mound that he's LSU's best pitcher and while he could be a starter, his value out of the bullpen is unmatched.
In a game where Jared Jones struggled, Daniel Dickinson, Derek Curiel, and Steven Milam were able to pick him up which is exactly what the team needed. All three hit home runs, driving in the six earned runs on a day where the doubles and walks weren't coming as often as possible.
The Tigers return to the field on Friday at 6:30 PM Central Time and the Tigers will need some length out of Anthony Eyanson after burning Zac Cowan for the weekend.