Da Boot Sports
3/31/2023
By: David Penn


   BATON ROUGE, LA - Ty Floyd didn’t have his best stuff but worked out of tough jams and timely hitting for the Tigers notched #1 LSU (24-3, 6-2) the series win over #9 Tennessee (20-8, 3-5) at Alex Box Stadium in front of another capacity crowd.

   Floyd (5-0) worked five innings for the Tigers and earned the win. He allowed four runs on six hits, walked one Vol and struck out six, but it was Floyd’s ability to work out of jams that proved the most valuable for LSU.     
   
   The Vols got on the scoreboard first, but LSU had answers. LSU had eleven hits and seven of those hits were doubles as well as two homeruns.

   The wind seemed to play a factor early as routine pop ups were difficult to manage for the
Tennessee defense. Five Vols surrounded a pop fly that hit the ground at the pitcher’s mound, another pop fly was off the glove of the Vols second baseman also allowing for Dylan Crews to reach second base. 
    
​   Down on the scoreboard, freshman catcher Brady Neal and fifth year senior Gavin Dugas would hit back to back home runs in the home half of the fourth inning giving the Tigers a 5-4 lead.

   Tommy White would finish off the scoring in the sixth inning on an RBI sac fly that brought Dugas home for the 6-4 lead that would end up as the final margin.

   The Tigers were led on offense by Tre’ Morgan who went 3 of 5 at the plate with two doubles. Tommy White had a double and a sac fly that earned 2 RBIs. Crews extended his hit streak to 25 games and has reached base in every game. 
    
   “I’m really proud of the team tonight in every phase of the game,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “I think our offense did a tremendous job against a great pitcher in (UT starter) Chase Burns. That was a high-level offensive performance, getting 12 hits and six runs on the board against some excellent arms.”
    
​   The Tigers and Vols will play the final game of the series at 1:00pm CT with LSU looking to earn it’s first SEC series sweep of the season while the Vols will look to salvage the series with a win in the final game.
​

Da Boot Sports
3/30/2023
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE,LA - The No. 1 ranked LSU Tigers defeated the 9th ranked Tennessee Volunteers on Thursday night 5-2 in front of the largest paid crowd in the history of LSU baseball, 13,068, to take a 1-0 lead in their big three game SEC series. 

   LSU broke the game wide open in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Tennessee plated a run in the top of the frame to even the score at 2-2, the Tigers answered Tennessee's score in explosive fashion.
   Dylan Crews led off the bottom of the eighth flying out to second base, then Tommy White grounded out. 
   Cade Beloso found himself safe at first base thanks to an error by the Vols first baseman. Paxton Kling stepped
to the plate, hitting a slow ground ball to second and was able to beat out the throw, putting runners on first and second with two outs. 
   Josh Pearson was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. 
   Next up was Jordan Thompson, who cleared the bases with a stand up, three RBI double into the gap in
right center field. 
   The huge timely hit gave LSU the lead 5-2 as we headed to the top of the ninth, where Garret Edwards registered the final three outs to clinch the victory for the Tigers. 


   The contest went scoreless into the fifth inning as Paul Skenes and Chase Dollander had settled into a pitches duel. But it was the Vols who broke the silence with a run in the top of the fifth.
   Jared Dickey led off with a single up the middle, followed by a single by Hunter Ensley to put runners on first and second with no outs. 
   Skenes was able to sit down the next two Tennessee batters with Dickey advancing to third in the process. Christian Scott then singled up the middle to bring Dickey home. 1-0 Vols as the game headed to the bottom of the frame.

   The Volunteers run woke up the LSU bats as Jordan Thompson doubled down the left field line. After Neal went down swinging for the first out, Gavin Dugas stepped to the plate and launched a two run homer to left field, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead. 
   LSU would be unable to make anymore noise as we headed to the sixth inning with the Tigers up, 2-1. 

   The game moved into the eighth inning with LSU still holding a 2-1 lead. Paul Skenes' night would end as Jay Johnson went to his bullpen, bringing in Nate Ackenhausen.
   Ackenhausen struggled, only going a third of the inning, giving up a single to Maui Ahuna. Ahuna was able to advance to third base after a pass ball and a wild pitch.
   Jarrett Edwards replaced Ackenhausen, but quickly gave up an RBI single to Christian Moore, tying the game at 2-2. 

   Paul Skenes had a fantastic outing going seven strong innings, giving up only one run on five hits, striking out 12 while issuing only one base on balls. 
   Jarrett Edwards (4-0) would earn the win, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up no runs on two hits with
two strikeouts. 

   With the win, LSU is now 23-3 overall and 5-2 in SEC paly, while Tennessee falls to 20-7 overall and 3-4 in the SEC. 

   Next up is game two of the series on Friday night at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field.

   First pitch is scheduled for 6:00pm CST.
    

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

​​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

Da Boot Sports
3/28/2023
LSU Sports Communications
By: William Franques


   BATON ROUGE, La. – Designated hitter Cade Beloso launched a three-run homer and collected four RBI Tuesday night as top-ranked LSU defeated Grambling State, 17-5, in seven innings at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
 
LSU improved to 22-3 on the year, while Grambling dropped to 9-15.
 
LSU opens a three-game SEC series at 7 p.m. CT Thursday versus Tennessee in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. The game will be televised on ESPNU, and it may be heard on affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network.
 
Grambling led Tuesday’s game 3-2 heading into the bottom of the third inning, but centerfielder Dylan Crews and third baseman Tommy White started a rally with back-to-back singles before Beloso followed with his third homer of the season to give LSU a 5-3 lead.
 
First baseman Jared Jones blasted a solo homer – his eighth dinger of the year – and catcher Alex Milazzo lined an RBI single to punctuate the inning and increase LSU’s advantage to 7-3.
 
“I’m very proud of our team,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “You start getting into this middle point of the season with midweek games in between conference series, and sometimes as a coach you have to worry about the mindset of your team – I never have to worry about that with these guys. They showed up today ready to work and took care of business tonight, and now we’re moving on to the weekend.”
 
Right-hander Blake Money (1-0), the second of five LSU pitchers, was credited with the win as he entered the game at the beginning of the third inning and allowed three runs on two hits in two innings of work with two walks and two strikeouts.
 
LSU starting pitcher Christian Little worked the first two innings, limiting Grambling to no runs on one hit with one walk and four strikeouts.
 
Grambling starter Jacorey Boudreaux (0-2) was charged with the loss, as he surrendered seven runs on nine hits in three innings with three walks and no strikeouts.
 
LSU erupted for eight runs in the fourth inning as run-scoring singles by Beloso, rightfielder Paxton Kling, pinch hitter Ben Nippolt and pinch hitter Brayden Jobert highlighted the outburst.
  

Da Boot Sports
3/25/2023
By: Terrill J. Weil


​   BATON ROUGE, LA - It's time for baseball on the bayou again as #1 ranked LSU host #5 Arkansas at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field. The teams will meet on the diamond twice Saturday as Sunday's contest was moved up due to expected inclement weather. 


          GAME TWO:

   Ty Floyd started for the Tigers in game two and had a shaky first inning. After leadoff hitter Tavian Josenberger got on due to an error, Jared Wegner hit a two run homer to left center field to put the Hogs up 2-0. Floyd and the Tigers were able to escape with no further damage done. 

​   LSU flexed their muscles in the bottom of the second. Jared Jones drew a base on balls before Josh Pearson reached first on a fielder's choice. 
   Jordan Thompson then stepped to the plate and doubled to right center sending Pearson around the horn to score. 
   Gavin Dugas then blasted a two RBI homer down the left field line to give the Tigers their first lead, 3-2.
   Tre' Morgan followed Dugas in the lineup, joining in on the party as he launched the ball into orbit over the right field wall hitting the 'Diamond Deck' sign to increase LSU's lead to 4-2. 

   LSU added a run to their lead in the bottom of the third. Cade Beloso got it started hitting a one out double. Two batters later, Josh Pearson ripped a triple down the right field line into the corner, scoring Beloso, giving the Bayou Bombers a 5-2 advantage as we headed to the 4th inning. 

   With Ty Floyd settling in and handcuffing the Razorbacks, the Tigers continued to add to the lead in
the bottom of the fifth.
   Dylan Crews began the inning with a laser blast homer to left center. The ball was hit on a line and left the park in a hurry. Amazing to watch.
   LSU would plate another run later in the inning when Tommy White was able to score from third on a wild pitch. 
   The game headed to the sixth with the Tigers leading 7-2. 

   LSU added two more runs in the sixth, with both coming on back-to-back sacrifice flies. White flied out to right field scoring Morgan from third, advancing Crews to third from second. Then Beloso would sac fly to right field to bring in Crews, putting LSU up 9-2 as we headed to the seventh. 

   The Bayou Bengals still weren't finished, loading the sacks in the seventh with only one out.  Morgan singled to shallow left field to bring Pearson home, keeping the bases loaded. 
   Next up, Crews was hit by a pitch to bring Jordan Thompson in.
   Brayden Jobert would then pinch hit for Tommy White, flying out to left field, scoring Milazzo from third for the 12-2 run rule victory. 

​   Ty Floyd was credited with the win and is now 4-0 on the season. 

   With the win LSU is now 20-3, (3-2 SEC)... Arkansas falls to 20-3, (4-1 SEC)



          GAME THREE:

   The Tigers returned to the diamond on Saturday afternoon to play the rubber match of their three game series, hoping to carry over the success they had in the first game of the double header. 
   LSU did just that as they dominated the Razorbacks for the second time of the day with a 14-5 victory.

   Thatcher Hurd started on the hill for LSU, quickly disposing of the first two Arkansas hitters, but Jared Wegner put an end to it, hitting a solo home run over the right field fence, giving the Razorbacks the early 1-0 lead. The homer was followed by a stand up double by Brady Slavens. 
   Hurd walked the next two batters to fill the bases with two outs. He then walked Caleb Cali, sending another Arkansas run to the plate. 
   Hurd would dig down deep and fan Parker Rowland to get out of the bases loaded jam with no more damage done. 2-0 Hogs as we head to the bottom of the first. 

   LSU answered in the bottom of the frame. With one out and Tre' Morgan on first base, Dylan Crews launched a crews missile over the left center field wall to tie the ball game at 2-2. 

   The Razorbacks battled back to retake the lead in the third. With runners on first and second and no outs, Caleb Cali drove a two RBI double into the gap in left center field putting the Hogs up 4-2. 
   Jay Johnson then went to his bullpen, pulling the struggling Thatcher Hurd for Griffin Herring.  Herring was able to send the Tigers back to the dugout quickly, striking out two and forcing a pop out. 
   4-2 Razorbacks as we head to the bottom of the third inning. 

   The Tigers answered in the bottom of the frame when Crews singled up the middle, scoring Gavin Dugas from second. Crews was able to advance to second on the throw to the plate. 
   Cade Beloso would then hit a single up the middle to score Crews tying the game at 4-4. 

   Jordan Thompson led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple off of the center field wall. Brayden Jobert then singled to bring Thompson home to regain the lead for the Tigers. 
   Gavin Dugas then smashed his seventh homer of the season over the left field wall. The two run
shot extended the LSU lead to 7-4. 
   The offensive attack continued as Tre' Morgan walked, followed by a single by Crews. Tommy
White stepped to the plate and drove the ball over the left field fence to put LSU up 10-4 as the fourth
inning mercifully came to an end for the Hogs. 

   Arkansas plated a single run in the fifth after loading the bases, but no other damage was done. 10-5 Tigers.

​   LSU picked up the pig roast in the bottom of the sixth, when Tommy 'The Tank' White smashed a grand slam to right field, giving LSU a commanding 14-5 lead. The slam came with no outs in the inning. 
   The Tigers were unable to push another run across the plate, sending the game to the seventh with LSU up 14-5. 

   Griffin Herring (2-0) was the winning pitcher for LSU, pitching two innings, giving up two hits, one run while striking out two. 
   Hurd who started the contest went two innings. He gave up four runs on four hits, striking out three while walking five.
   Garrett Edwards pitched four strong innings for the Tigers before Riley Cooper entered in the ninth inning to finish off the game. 

   With the win, LSU is now 21-3 overall and 4-2 in SEC play... 

   Next Up the Tigers will host Grambling on Tuesday night at 6:30pm before a huge SEC series against
#12 Tennessee starting on Thursday at 7:00pm CST. 

Game Two Photos Below By: Jonathan Mailhes

Game Three Photos Below By: Jonathan Mailhes

Game Three Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

Da Boot Sports
3/24/2023
By: David Penn


    BATON ROUGE, LA - #1 LSU (19-3, 2-2) and # 5 Arkansas (20-2, 4-0) squared off on Skip Bertman Field at Alex Box Stadium on Friday afternoon and had all the fixings of a top five clash.

   The Tigers and Razorbacks completed nine innings of baseball tied at 1-1 before the Razorbacks erupted in the top of the tenth frame to plate eight runs, grabbing a 9-1 lead.
   LSU attempted to answer but came up short. The Tigers scratched across a pair of runs on a dinger by Dylan Crews but were unable to get any closer than the final margin of 9-3.
    
   Paul Skenes was again electric for the Tigers, working seven innings, fanning a dozen razorbacks. He only allowed one run on two hits, walking three Razorbacks.

   Hunter Hollan got the start for Arkansas and pitched into the fifth inning. Hollan allowed no runs on three hits, struck out seven Tigers and walked only one. Hagen Smith would go the rest of the way for the Razorbacks, not giving the Tigers an inch until the tenth inning and kept LSU from the rally. Smith recorded eight strikeouts and gave up three runs on five hits walking only three batters in 4.2 innings of work.
    
   “It was two good teams going at it,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “You can’t ask for a better performance than what Paul Skenes delivered today; it was complete domination. Unfortunately for us (Arkansas starter) Hunter Hollan was really good, and Hagen Smith is a guy we really had a hard time with last year. You have to credit those guys for executing pitches, so we have to re-set and get ready to go tomorrow.”
    
   In his only at bat of the game, Reese Robinett stroked a three run homer in the tenth to give the Razorbacks a 4-1 edge and Brady Slavens hit a sac fly to increase the lead to 5-1. Kendall Diggs walked into the batter’s box with the bases loaded and was down in the count 1-2 before blasting a grand slam over the right field wall. 
    
   Chase Shores was charged with the loss, his first of the season.

   It was a frustrating day for the Tigers at the plate, striking out fifteen times and only drawing four walks.

   Brady Neal Tied the game at one a piece with a solo shot in the eighth inning before Crews’ homerun in the tenth provided the final margin.
    
​   The Tigers and Razorbacks will play a doubleheader on Saturday with the first game beginning at 1:00pm CT and the second game starting at 6:30pm CT. 
​

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

​​*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

​A huge Thank You to Cardio Health Solutions owned by Ron Sancho for sponsoring our publication!
​

Da Boot Sports
3/21/2023
By: David Penn


   BATON ROUGE, LA - The #1 LSU Tigers (19-2, 2-1) hosted the Central Arkansas Bears (11-9) on Tuesday night in Alex Box Stadium, those same Bears that went in to Nashville and beat Vanderbilt.

   The Bears erased a 3-0 deficit to lead the game 4-3 in the top of the 4th inning when Dylan Cyr took
an offering over the left field fence. Josh Pearson tied the game up in the home half of the 4th inning on an RBI single that scored Jordan Thompson.

   Thompson would then break the game open with his second homerun of the season, a three run blast
to center field that gave LSU a 7-4 lead.

   “Jordan is as clutch as can be,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson, “and he’s been one of the most important players in my tenure. I trust him, he’s been working hard, and I think his at-bats have actually been better than the results he’s gotten. That was a big swing at that point in time.”
    
   Dylan Crews got the scoring started for LSU in the bottom of the 1st with a two run shot that scored Pearson. The homerun tied Crews with former Tiger Blair Barbier with 46 career dingers.

   Alex Milazzo would put the Tigers ahead 3-0 in the 2nd inning on a sac hit that scored Jared Jones.
    
   The Bears answered in the 4th, Tyler Monroe got the Bears on the board with an RBI triple before Evan Hafley hit an RBI sac fly to cut the LSU lead 3-2. Cyr then launched his 1-2 pitch over the fence to give the Bears their final run output and the lead.
    
   Blake Money earned his first start of the season for LSU and pitched 3.2 innings, Money retired the first nine Bears he faced. Money’s stat line was two Ks, one walk, and four runs on three hits. Griffin Herring took the mound in the fourth inning and earned the win for the Tigers. Herring pitched 2.1 innings striking out three Bears, one walk, and no runs on one hit.

   Gavin Guidry, Sam Dutton, Bryce Collins, and Will Hellmers pitched the final three innings for LSU, combining to limit the Bears to no runs or hits. 
    
   The final margin of 10-4 occurred in the sixth inning, with all three runs scored due to errors by the Bears. Up 7-4 after the Thompson homerun in the fifth, Tre’ Morgan and Crews were on first and third base in the sixth inning when Bears pitcher Trent Gregson balked and allowed the runners to advance, Crews to home and Morgan to second. Gavin Dugas drew a walk to give the Tigers runners at first and second before Brayed Jobert laid down a swinging bunt right in front of the catcher. Jobert sprinted to first base while the catcher launched an errant throw that ended up rolling to the wall past the foul line. Morgan and Dugas would both reach home on the error.

   After the game Thompson said "He had thrown me four or five straight changeups prior to hitting a foul ball home run on a fastball. So, after that I was kind of thinking that he was going to go back and he had me out in front of him, so I tried to stay back and he left the fastball a little bit up, so I was able to get a good swing on it."

   Next up for LSU will be their first home SEC series vs the #5 Arkansas Razorbacks (19-2, 3-0) who are
fresh off their home sweep of Auburn. First pitch at Alex Box stadium on Friday night will be at 7:00pm CT.
​

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

Photos Below By: Jonathan Mailhes

Da Boot Sports
3/20/2023
By: David Penn


   COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - #1 LSU (18-2, 2-1) took to the road for it’s first SEC weekend series in College Station to take on the #15 Texas A&M Aggies (14-6, 1-2). The Tigers won the first two games of the series before relinquishing a late lead in game three that allowed the Aggies to avoid being swept at home.

          *FRIDAY* LSU 9 TAMU 0
    Paul Skenes started on the mound for LSU and continued his dominance for the Tigers. Skenes went
6.1 innings for LSU, recording 11 strikeouts while giving up only four hits and no runs or bases on balls.

   Nate Ackenhausen and Christian Little would each pitch 1.1 innings to close out the affair from
the mound. Ackenhausen would allow no runs or hits, walk three batters and strike out three batters. Little would also allow no runs or hits. recording one strike out and no walks.
    On offense, the Tigers got on the scoreboard early, plating two runs in the first and third innings
before exploding for five runs in the top of the ninth to provide the final margin.

   In the first inning Gavin Dugas hit a sac fly to score Tre’ Morgan and Josh Pearson would smash a single into center field that scored Dylan Crews.

   In the third inning Morgan would score again on a wild pitch that got away from the Aggies’ catcher. Tommy White would then collect his first of three RBIs with a single into left field that scored Crews, his second run of the game.
    In the ninth inning the LSU offense would heat all the way up with White poking his second single into center right that scored Morgan and Paxton Kling. Pearson drew a bases loaded walk that scored Crews before Jared Jones added an RBI on a sec fly to center field scoring Ben Nippolt. Alex Milazzo added the final run for the Tigers when he hit a ground ball to the Aggie short stop but allowed Gavin Dugas to score.
    “We want to be a team that can win any type of game,” Johnson said. “When the wind is blowing in, or in
a pitcher’s duel or a slugfest. We executed those nine runs, and the way batting practice was going with the wind blowing in, four runs seemed like 12 tonight.”
    
          *SATURDAY* LSU 12 TAMU 7
   Ty Floyd earned the Saturday start for LSU, but the Aggies were able to touch up the starter for a pair of run in the second and third innings. Floyd pitched 3.1 innings for LSU recording three strikeouts, two walks while allowing five runs on four hits.

   LSU reliever Garret Edwards would come on and earn the win for LSU, striking out five, walking two, and allowing one run on one hit. Riley Cooper and Blake Money would pitch an inning each to close out the night for LSU. The two combined for two strikeouts, one walk, and one run on three hits.
   With LSU down 4-0 to start the fourth inning, the Tiger offense would erupt for 6 runs, taking a 6-4 lead. The Aggies would answer with a run of their own in the home half on the fourth, trimming the lead to 6-5.

   With the bases loaded, Tommy White singled to center scoring Brady Neal and Jordan Thompson.
Gavin Dugas would then single to the left side to score Dylan Crews. Josh Pearson doubled to left to score White.  Jared Jones then singled down the right field line to score Pearson and Dugas.
   Jared Jones smashed a three run shot in the sixth inning into left field that scored White and Dugas.

   The Tigers would strike again in the seventh inning with White bringing Morgan home on a single into center field. Jones completed his night with a two RBI single to left scoring White and Crews, giving Jones an incredible seven RBIs on the evening. TAMU would score one more run in the bottom of the ninth for the games final score. 
   “We had really good plate discipline and really hit mistakes well today,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “Jared is super talented, and his biggest evolution is he’s really improved mentally. Just watching him slow the game down with runners on base gives me a lot of peace of mind. He’s in control of himself, so you know you’re going to get a quality at-bat. When a guy is that big, that strong and that physical, and he’s locked in, the results are going to be really good, and they were really good today.”

          *SUNDAY* LSU 6 TAMU 8
   Thatcher Hurd started the final game of the series for LSU and went 3.1 innings, only surrendering two runs on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts.

   Riley Cooper would come on in the fourth, but exit the game in the fifth inning after giving up a two RBI double being replaced by Chase Shores. Shores pitched into the eighth inning, but after allowing a single, then hitting a batter, LSU coach Jay Johnson would go to the bullpen one more time for Christian Little.
   The Aggies would plate four runs in the eighth to take an 8-6 lead to avoid the sweep.
   The LSU offense started off with a bang, plating four runs in the first inning then another run in the second.
The bats would cool off and the Tigers only plated one more run in the seventh inning.

   Gavin Dugas started the Tigers off in the first inning by drawing a bases-loaded walk scoring Tre’ Morgan. Josh Pearson then hit a single to right scoring Tommy White and Dylan Crews. Jordan Thompson singled to center field to score Dugas.

   In the second inning White would bring in Crews on a single to left field. The final run for LSU was scored when Brady Neal hit the sac fly to left that brought home Pearson.
   “I’m proud of the way our guys prepared and competed over the course of the weekend,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “We played great baseball for the majority of the weekend. We didn’t allow a ton of free bases from the mound, but we did today, and Texas A&M is a good enough team to cash in when that happens.

   The Tigers will play host to Central Arkansas on Tuesday Night in Baton Rouge before moving on to a home series against the #5 Arkansas Razorbacks.

   Skenes leads the nation in strikeouts (59), wins (5), and WHIP (.53).

   Crews leads the nation in on base percentage (.648) and runs scored (37).

   Tommy White leads the nation in RBI per game (2.0).

   The Tigers also lead the nation in runs per game (11.1), shut outs (7), and hits allowed per nine innings (5.62).

​   LSU is second in the nation in fielding percentage (.989) and on base percentage (.466).

Da Boot Sports
​3/13/2023
By: David Penn


   BATON ROUGE, LA - The first four innings of the #1 LSU (16-1), UNO (11-6) matchup was predicated on pitching and defense. LSU coach Jay Johnson started freshman Chase Shores on the mound and went to the bullpen often during the game.

   Privateer starter Colton Mercer kept the Tigers off the scoreboard until an injury forced him off the mound.

   Tommy White got LSU on the board in the home half of the fifth inning with a three run blast that kick started the LSU offense.
    
   Chase Shores pitched the first 2.1 innings and earned two Ks but also gave up to hits and a base on balls, Coach Johnson went to the bullpen in the third inning and brought in Garrett Edwards with a pair of Privateers on base and Edwards not only got LSU out of the jam but also gave LSU three more hitless innings and recorded five strikeouts. Riley Cooper, Blake Money, and Christian Little closed out the affair for the pitching staff, each pitching an inning to preserve the shut out.

   "You couldn't ask for much more from our pitching staff," said LSU coach Jay Johnson. "We've given up two runs or less in eight of our last 10 games; we're going to win when we do that. They're doing a great job, they just need to keep executing."
    
   Dylan Crews and Paxton Kling both reached base in the bottom of the fifth before Tommy White strode into the batter’s box and sent a pitch into the left field bleachers to put the Tigers on the board with a 3-0 lead.

   In the sixth inning, Alex Milazzo attempted a sacrifice bunt and reached safely on a throwing error by the pitcher. The error allowed Jordan Thompson and Jared Jones to score. Kling then reached on a sacrifice attempt on another throwing error by the pitcher which allowed Milazzo to score. Tre’ Morgan would then hit a sac fly to right field that scored Kling. White would score Crews on a single to center field. Gavin Dugas would cap the seven run inning with a two run blast that brought home White, Tigers lead 10-0.
    
   LSU plated six more runs in the bottom of the eighth to account for the game’s final margin. Josh Pearson smashed a bases-loaded double that scored White and Hayden Travinski. Brayden Jobert drew a bases-loaded walk that scored Ben Nippolt, Jack Merrifield then drew another bases-loaded walk that scored Pearson. Travinski would then hit a single to right field that would score Gavin Guidry and Jobert.
    
   "Tommy was just doing his deal," Johnson said. "He got a mistake, and he stayed on it, blasted it out of here and got us going. From there, we were off and rolling and executed a couple of things offensively that put pressure on them, and we broke the game open."
    
​   The Tigers will begin SEC play this weekend in College Station vs the Texas A&M Aggies (13-4). First pitch will be Friday night at 7:00pm CST, followed by 3:00 on Saturday and 2:00 on Sunday.

*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

Da Boot Sports
3/12/2023
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - After defeating Samford on Friday night 11-1, the #1 ranked Tigers completed
the sweep of the series cruising to a 12-0 win on Saturday night, then a 13-1 victory on Sunday morning at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field. 

   LSU is now 15-1 after run-ruling the Bulldogs in all three games this weekend. 

       

​        *SATURDAY:

   BATON ROUGE, LA - The Tigers scored five runs in the first inning then coasted to a 12-0 win in 7 innings. 

   Ty Floyd (3-0) was the winning pitcher, going five solid innings, giving up no hits or runs while striking out six batters. Nate Ackenhausen entered the contest to pitch the final two innings. 

   LSU's bats remained hot as they launched five homeruns on the night. Freshman Jared Jones blasted two three run homers. Dylan Crews had a two run dinger in the first. Brayden Jobert had a solo shot in the third before Tommy White hit a three run homer in the fourth inning. 

   “That was an impressive game by our team,” said Jay Johnson. “Ty pitched great, throwing all of his pitches for strikes, and he usually ended up with a strikeout or weak contact. It started there, and Nate came in and showed why he’s been one of our better pitchers this season."
   “The offense tonight was about as impressive as it could be. All Jared has done the past two days is show how talented he is; he’s really mentally strong. I give him a lot of credit; I’ve seen young players go in the tank after a couple of difficult games, but Jared has been really impressive, not just physically but the work that he put in mentally. When he’s in the right frame of mind, he’s seeing the ball, he’s got the bat speed, and he can hit the ball out to all parts of the field as we’ve seen the past two days.”


        *SUNDAY:

   BATON ROUGE, LA - Thatcher Hurd fired five scoreless innings and the Tigers exploded for 9 runs in the 7th inning to sweep the Bulldogs with a 13-1 victory. 

   Hurd (2-0) earned the win giving up no hits while striking out seven Bulldogs. Gavin Guidry and Riley Cooper pitched the final two innings allowing one run.

   “Thatcher was outstanding again,” Johnson said. “He’s got great stuff, he has great poise. The highlight of the day was when he got in a little trouble in the fourth inning, but he re-composed himself and ended the inning with a strikeout. He has elite stuff, and when he’s an elite place mentally, he’s as good as they come.”

   Offensively, the Bayou Bengals started slow, only managing two runs in the third and then two runs in the
fifth before the seventh inning explosion.

   Dylen Crews led off the scoring with a two run blast in the third to put the Tigers up 2-0. 

   LSU's two runs in the fifth came when Crews was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before White would later bring Paxton Kling home on a ground ball to the shortstop. 

   “It was a tough start, playing early after a night game, but I thought our guys responded well,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “Their pitcher did a good job the first time through our order, but it’s really difficult with our hitters to get through a second and third time.
 
   Samford pulled to within 4-1, scoring their only run in the top of the sixth inning. 

   The 9 run seventh began with a Tommy White grand slam and finished with a three run walk-off homer
by Paxton Kling.


   Next up LSU will host UNO at the Box on Tuesday night before traveling to College Station to take on Texas A&M to begin SEC play. 

*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)

Da Boot Sports
3/10/2023
LSU Sports Communications
By: William Franques


   BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU right-hander Paul Skenes threw another pitching gem with 12 strikeouts, and first baseman Jared Jones launched two dingers Friday to propel the top-ranked Tigers to an 11-1 run-rule victory against Samford inside Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
 
LSU, which has won eight straight games, moves to 13-1 on the season and the Bulldogs fell to 6-7 on the year.
 
The Tigers return to action Saturday for the second game of the three-game set with Samford. The contest is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch and can be viewed on SEC Network+. The matchup can also be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates.
 
Skenes (4-0) threw his fourth consecutive game with double-digit strikeouts and finished with six innings pitched with one run and two hits allowed
 
“As long as we support Paul on defense, he’s going to hold it together,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “He throws three pitches for strikes, a fastball over 100 mph, and he has great poise, competitiveness and character. I wish we could keep him here forever. The best part about Paul is that he won’t rest on tonight; he’ll be here early tomorrow, get his work in and get ready for his next start.”
 
Bulldog starter Jacob Cravey (1-2) was charged with the loss after tossing 5.0 innings and allowing five runs on four hits.
 
Jones posted a 3-for-4 line and picked up four RBI with two home runs and a single. 
 
“It was super impressive, I’m very proud of Jared,” Johnson said. “He worked hard this week, made a small tweak in his swing, and focused on slowing the game down mentally. He’s been impressive so far, and I’m really glad he’s here. He’s a great player and a great kid as well.”
 
LSU opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with the help of a throwing error from Samford's second baseman Garrett Staton. Following two free passes, designated hitter Tommy White hit one in the six-hole and the Bulldogs got one out but could not convert on the other end. The Tigers led 1-0 after one inning.
 
After a scoreless second inning from both squads, Samford responded with a run in the third.
 
LSU manufactured a run in the bottom half of the third with a sequence that started with a single from centerfielder Dylan Crews and a walk from White. With two runners on second and third after a wild pitch, shortstop Jordan Thompson hit a sacrifice fly to center, which scored Crews.
 
The Tigers added another sacrifice fly in the fourth with right fielder Paxton Kling scoring from third on a fly ball to center from second baseman Jack Merrifield.
 
Jones crushed a ball to right field for his third dinger of the year, extending LSU’s lead to 5-1.
 
LSU continued to tack onto its lead in the sixth, increasing it to 8-1. Kling led the inning off with a single to left field and promptly stole second. Left fielder Tre’ Morgan smoked an RBI single up the middle to score Kling. With Morgan on first, Crews singled and White smoked a double in the right-center field gap scoring Morgan and Crews.
 
After catcher Brady Neal drew a walk, White tagged from second and reached third on a fly ball to center. Centerfielder Josh Rodriguez’s throw went past the third baseman and into the dugout, allowing White to scratch across LSU’s ninth run.
 
Jones punctuated the inning with a towering home run to left field that went 459 feet. His final two RBI accounted for the final margin in the Tigers’ win.
 

Da Boot Sports
3/8/2023
By: David Penn


   BATON ROUGE, LA - The #1 ranked LSU Tigers, now 12-1, continue to look impressive on the mound and on offense. 

   LSU Coach Jay Johnson said “It was a really complete win. It started on the mound, (LSU starting pitcher) Christian Little did a great job, along with Will Hellmers and Garrett Edwards in relief. We knew Lamar would put the ball in play a lot, and I thought we were outstanding on defense. (Third baseman) Ben Nippolt and (shortstop) Jordan Thompson were a big story in this game in how well they defended the left side of the infield. Offensively, I thought we had a great set of quality at-bats. We walked eight times, we were hit with a few pitches, and we really cashed in on those with runners in scoring position. I’m really pleased with the performance all the way around.”    
   
   Christian Little started on the bump for the Tigers and improved his record to 2-0. Little limited Lamar (10-3) to 1 run on 4 hits with 3 Ks and 1 walk.  Will Helmers would enter in relief in the fifth inning, giving up 1 run on 1 hit, earning 3 Ks. Garrett Edwards closed the affair from the mound, going the final 3.2 innings. Edwards allowed no runs, 2 hits, and fanned two batters.
   
   Tommy White led the LSU offense, going 2-5 from the plate with a double and a 387 yard bomb over the right field bench. White notched his 3rd homer of the season and collected 4 RBIs, the homerun in the second inning gave the Tigers a 6-1 advantage. Freshman Paxton Kling also went 2-5 from the plate and blasted his second homerun of the season. The Tigers drew 8 walks in the game and were hit by pitch 3 times, All-American Dylan Crews drew 3 bases on balls.
   
​   LSU has won its last seven games and will host Samford at Alex Box Stadium this weekend. Samford
will come to Baton Rouge with an 11-6 record, the Friday and Saturday night games will begin at 6:30 and the Sunday tilt will begin at 1:00.

Da Boot Sports
3/6/2023
LSU Sports Communications
By: William Franques


   BATON ROUGE, La. – Sophomore right-hander Thatcher Hurd recorded 11 strikeouts in six scoreless inning Monday night to lead top-ranked LSU to an 11-0 win over Butler in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
 
LSU, which won its sixth straight game, improved to 11-1 this season, while Butler dropped to 2-10. Monday’s game was halted after seven innings due to the implementation of the 10-run rule.
 
The Tigers return to action at 6:30 p.m. CT Wednesday when they play host to Lamar in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. The game will be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network, and it will be streamed online on SEC Network +.
 
Hurd (1-0) allowed just three hits in six innings with one walk and 11 strikeouts, firing 73 pitches. The 11 Ks were just one shy of his collegiate career high – he posted 12 strikeouts for UCLA last season in a game versus Long Beach State.
 
“Thatcher executed all four of his pitches at a high level,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “It was one of those game you felt like you could sit in a rocking chair on defense when the pitcher is going like that. It was just a great performance by him – he had great velocity and movement on his fastball, and the downward break on his curveball was really special.
 
“He threw everything in every count, and he can be really hard to deal with for hitters when he pitches like that.”
 
Centerfielder Dylan Crews led the Tigers’ 14-hit output with a homer, a double and three RBI. Rightfielder Paxton Kling was 3-for-3 with a double and his first collegiate home run, and catcher Brady Neal also contributed his first career college homer.
 
“I thought overall that this was our best offensive game of the season,” Johnson said. “The way we executed, the way the lineup flowed; we did a lot of things well. We really moved the ball around the field and displayed professional hitting all the way through.”
 
Butler starting pitcher Aaron Barokas (1-1) was charged with the loss, as he surrendered six runs – five earned – on six hits in one inning.
 
Crews’ two-out solo homer in the first inning – his third dinger of the season – gave LSU a 1-0 lead.
 
The Tigers expanded the advantage to 7-0 with a six-run second inning highlighted by Neal’s solo homer, an RBI double by leftfielder Tre’ Morgan and a run-scoring single by designated hitter Tommy White.
 
Kling’s solo shot in the fourth widened the gap to 8-0, and the Tigers added a run in the fifth when Morgan tripled and scored on Crews’ groundout to second base.
 
LSU plated two more runs in the sixth as third baseman Ben Nippolt lined a two-run double.
 
Reliever Blake Money retired the side in order in the top of the seventh, firing two strikeouts.
 

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

Da Boot Sports
​3/5/2023
LSU Sports Communications
By: William Franques


   BATON ROUGE, La. - Top-ranked LSU pounded out eight hits and scored 13 runs Sunday afternoon to propel the Tigers to a 13-0 and second consecutive run-rule victory in seven innings against Central Connecticut State inside Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
 
LSU picked up its 10th win of the season, moving to 10-1 on the year, while CCSU falls to 2-2 on its season.
 
The Tigers’ next contest in the four-game series is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The matchup with the Butler Bulldogs can be viewed on SEC Network+ and can be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates.
 
LSU pitchers held CCSU hitters to five hits on the afternoon. Starter Chase Shores got LSU off to a good start, tossing 3.2 innings and getting around several jams. He was lifted in the fourth inning after giving up no runs on three hits.
 
Left-hander Nate Ackenhausen (2-0) came in relief for Shores and picked up his second win of the season. He fired 1.1 innings and gave no runs on no hits with one punchout.
 
“It was a good game,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “I was pleased with the pitching; I thought Chase Shores did a great job, and we got his pitch count up a little bit, which we’ve been trying to do. Nate Ackenhausen came in and was effective, just as he’s been each time so far, and he got a big strikeout with the bases loaded. I liked the shutout and liked the errorless game by our defense.
 
“Offensively, I thought we were pretty good, but there’s a couple of at-bats I’d like to have back. We’ll keep working on those, but I’m not going to complain about 13 runs in six innings of offense.”
 
LSU used a bevy of relievers after Ackenhausen including Griffin Herring, Garrett Edwards, and Christian Little. The trio would throw two scoreless innings while picking up four strikeouts with two hits allowed.
 
LSU opened the scoring in the bottom of the first after Shores put together a strong top of the first. Second baseman Gavin Dugas and left fielder Tre’ Morgan reached via a hit-by-pitch and catcher’s interference. Centerfielder Dylan Crews came up to the plate and on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, smoked a two-RBI double down the left-field line.
 
The Tigers led 2-0 early in the first inning with no outs. 
 
Following another HBP from designated hitter Tommy White, shortstop Jordan Thompson doubled to right field and scored Crews from second. Third baseman Brayden Jobert accounted for the first out of the inning with an RBI groundout. LSU led 4-0 after one inning.
 
Both offenses could not scratch any runs across until the bottom of the fourth inning. Both catcher Brady Neal and right-fielder Paxton Kling drew a base on balls with the top of the order coming up. Dugas delivered and smoked an RBI double to left field.
 
With runners on second and third, Morgan beat out a chopper to the right side of the infield, scoring Kling, the sixth LSU run of the game. Leading 6-0, White hit a slow roller up the middle and scored Dugas from third. CCSU second baseman Brady Short made an errant throw to first, which scored Morgan from second.
 
LSU’s lead increased to 8-0 after four innings.
 
En route to the second consecutive run-rule victory this weekend, senior Cade Beloso ripped a line drive that landed in the right-field bleachers in the bottom of the sixth inning. With a 13-run lead after six-and-a-half innings, the game ended in run-rule fashion.

Da Boot Sports
3/4/2023
LSU Sports Communications
By: William Franques


   BATON ROUGE, La. - LSU blasted four home runs and collected 20 hits to propel the Tigers to a 26-4 victory over Central Connecticut State Saturday afternoon inside Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
 
LSU’s record improves to 9-1 on the season and the Blue Devils suffered their first loss after defeating Butler in the first game of their season. CCSU's record falls to 1-1.
 
The Tigers return to action Sunday afternoon to take on CCSU for the third contest of the four-game weekend. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. CT start and can be viewed on SEC Network+. The matchup can be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates.
 
The 26 runs scored by LSU is the most in a game since LSU scored 27 against Northwestern State on May 13, 2014. In addition, the four-home run game marks the first time LSU has hit that many in a single contest since May 21, 2022, when the Tigers hit four at Vanderbilt.
 
“Statistically, it was our best offensive day of the season,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “I went home last night after we had won 12-2 (over Butler) thinking we had left a lot on the table offensively and that we could do better. I wanted to make sure the approach is right, and that our players know they’re talented enough and competitive enough and confident enough to do it, and they did it today.
 
“I think it’s a sign of things to come, our guys just need to stay focused and not allow complacency to be a factor. They need to stay committed to our solid plan, to our solid approach, and stick to it. If they do that, they can continue to have great performances.”
 
LSU starter Ty Floyd pitched a gem after giving up a solo home run in the bottom of the first. He would be awarded his second victory of the season after tossing 5.2 innings and allowing one run on three hits.
 
CCSU’s starter Randy Reyes was charged with his first loss of the season after firing 2.2 innings and giving up eight runs on six hits.
 
Designated hitter Tommy White had his strongest offensive output of the season after making his way back from a shoulder injury. White posted a 3-for-3 line with two home runs and a double off the right-field wall.
 
CCSU opened the scoring in the top of the first with a solo shot to right field from right fielder Joe Rios.
 
LSU responded in the bottom of the first with two straight doubles from left fielder Tre’ Morgan and centerfielder Dylan Crews. Tied at 1-1, White headed to the plate and hit his first home run of the season to the right field bleachers. LSU led 3-1 after one inning.
 
Floyd settled in after allowing the single run at the beginning of the game. Through three innings, his impressive pitching helped him pick up five punchouts. His final line included 5.2 innings pitched, no runs, no hits, and six strikeouts.
 
Across the first three innings, LSU scored 12 runs to take and break the lead wide open. In the bottom of the second with catcher Brady Neal and right fielder Paxton Kling on base, second baseman Gavin Dugas crushed his fourth dinger of the year over the left field wall. The lead increased to 6-1.
 
White smoked his second home run of the day into the right field bleachers with centerfielder Dylan Crews and left fielder Tre’ Morgan on first and third, respectively. The lead sat at 12-1 after three innings.
 
“You don’t see the kind of opposite-field power that Tommy has very often,” Johnson said. “We’ve been working on his mindset and approach, and this is only his sixth game back since he was injured in the season opener. It’s been a gradual progression, but Tommy is working his way back to full strength.”
 
Down the stretch of the run-rule victory, LSU added 14 runs which included the fourth home run of the game for the Tigers. Senior Cade Beloso, with White on base, crushed his first dinger of the season over the right field wall.

Da Boot Sports
3/3/2023
LSU Sports Communications
By: William Franques


   ​BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU pitcher Paul Skenes allowed one hit and threw a career-high 13 strikeouts Friday night against Butler to propel the Tigers to a series-opening 12-2 victory inside Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
 
LSU moves to 8-1 on the season and the Bulldogs fall to 2-8 on the year.
 
Saturday’s contest is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. CT first pitch at “the Box.” The Tigers will face Central Connecticut State, and fans can view the matchup on SEC Network+. The game can also be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates.
 
Skenes held the Butler hitters down throughout his entire outing. Through the first three innings, he faced 10 batters and fired seven strikeouts in that span. By the end of the inning, Skenes had thrown an economical 38 pitches.
 
“That was clinic tonight by Paul,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “He’s special, and I’m certainly glad he’s here. He was just Paul being Paul.”
 
Skenes (3-0) continued his impressive outing by pitching into the sixth inning. He finished with six innings pitched while giving up no runs on one hit. His 13 punchouts mark the first time an LSU pitcher had that many strikeouts since Zack Hess sat down 13 batters against Toledo on March 2, 2018.
 
Butler starter Cole Graverson gave the LSU hitters a tough time to begin the game, but the Tigers settled in. Graverson (0-1) was charged with the loss after tossing four innings and allowing five runs on three hits.
 
Freshman Gavin Guidry, who arrived at LSU as a position player, got his first appearance on the mound. He picked up four strikeouts in only one inning of work. A quartet of other Tiger relievers, including Micah Bucknam, Griffin Herring, Aiden Moffett and Sam Dutton put together two innings of one-run baseball.
 
LSU opened the scoring in the bottom of the third after third baseman Ben Nippolt reached base via a walk. Following two straight strikeouts, designated hitter Tommy White hit a ball into no-man’s-land down the right field line. Nippolt scored from second after stealing the bag in the previous at-bat.
 
The Tigers’ loudest inning came in the fifth inning when Nippolt reached on a catcher’s interference and second baseman Gavin Dugas walked. Centerfielder Dylan Crews smoked a ball over the right-center field wall for a three-run shot. LSU led 4-0 with no outs.
 
“That was the best player in college baseball hitting the ball the other way when we really needed a spark,” Johnson said. “Seeing Dylan around here every day really puts a smile on my face.”
 
LSU hitters continued their offensive onslaught against Bulldog reliever Colin Davis. The Tigers added one run on a fielder’s choice to make the score 5-0. After a single from first baseman Jared Jones and a walk from right fielder Paxton Kling, catcher Alex Milazzo laid down a bunt and earned two RBI.
 
Left fielder Tre’ Morgan scored from third and pinch runner Josh Pearson used his speed and beat a throw home to increase the lead to 7-0.
 
LSU added to its lead in the sixth inning with two runs, and further padded the lead in the seventh with an RBI single from freshman Ethan Frey. Tiger senior Cade Beloso made the score 12-0 with a two-RBI double to the right-centerfield wall to close out the seventh.
 
The Bulldogs scratched one across in the eighth to get in on the scoring and added one more in the ninth to account for the final margin.