Tigers Struggle in Tuscaloosa as they Drop Game Two, 9-3

Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes

Da Boot Sports
5/8/2022
​By: David Penn

    TUSCALOOSA, AL - Early inning woes plagued #20 LSU in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night as the Tigers dropped game two of the series to the Crimson Tide 8-3.

   Blake Money (2-4) started on the mound for the Tigers but returned to the dugout after only thirteen pitches, failing to record an out.

   The defense committed three errors and Bama raced out to a 5-1 lead after only two innings.

   The teams will meet for the rubber match today in a game the Tigers need to win if the team wants to keep its goal of hosting a regional at Alex Box Stadium alive.
    
   Money allowed two runs on two hits and walked a pair of Bama hitters before being relieved in favor of Grant Taylor. Taylor and Ty Floyd would pitch four innings apiece for the Tigers and combine to give up six runs (two unearned) on five hits. Taylor walked five and struck out four, while Floyd walked one and earned five Ks.
    
   The lone bright spot on offense for the Tigers was Dylan Crews who opened scoring in the first with a solo home run and then lifted a two run shot in the seventh to provide all the scoring the Tigers could muster. Tiger hitters struck out twelve times in the game.
     
   “This wasn’t a good game for us. We dug ourselves an early hole, but Dylan Crews was outstanding. He showed why he’s one of the best hitters in the country, so that was a positive." Jay Johnson said. "We had a few good at-bats, but we’ve got to pitch better and limit the mistakes on defense. We can’t make those mistakes against good teams. We’re actually in a better position with our pitching tomorrow than we were at this point last weekend. I’m excited to get our pitchers out there competing on the mound tomorrow.”
    
   Alabama pitcher Jacob McNairy went 5.2 innings for the Tide and only gave up one run on four hits and struck out seven Tigers, while throwing 102 pitches.

   Dominic Tamez had a pair of hits for Alabama and William Hamiter was one of two Tide players that collected a pair of RBIs.
    
   The series will conclude on Sunday at 1:00pm CT at Sewell Thomas Stadium.

​   LSU dropped to 31-15, 13-10 and Alabama improved to 26-21, 10-13. The rubber match is pivotal for both teams as LSU is looking to ascend to a national seeding and the Tide are hoping to play summer baseball.

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