Tigers Thunder Past Louisiana Tech, 16-8 As Lightning Ends Game In The 7th

Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi

5/12/2021
By: Jordan Taylor
Da Boot Sports


    BATON ROUGE, LA: Heading into a much anticipated rematch between the Tigers and #16 ranked Bulldogs in a huge midweek contest that would be in major concerns due to weather.
   
   Officials would make a late afternoon decision to move the start time up to a 5:00PM  first pitch with bad weather reported to move in late.
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   Last meeting between these two teams was back in February when LSU's bats would catch fire for a huge win, 16-7.
  
   Heading into Tuesday's game would be a completely different story as LSU has struggled at times this season and LA Tech is considered one of the better teams in the nation.
   
   LSU comes in with a record of 29-18 while Louisiana Tech comes in with a impressive 33-12 record.

   The All-time series between the teams is owned by the Tigers, 44-19.  LSU has won the last 14 of 15 meetings. 

   The Tigers are heading into a huge week considering their playing for their tournament lives as #14 comes into town on Tuesday with Alabama looming in the distance for the final home SEC series of the year.

   Will Helmers would get the nod on the mound Tuesday after not seeing any action over the weekend in Auburn.

   Below is our recap of Tuesday's game between the Bulldogs and Tigers.



          1st INNING:

   LA Tech's veteran line up would get off to a fast start as they would load the bases after a couple singles and a walk. LSU would get a much needed double play ground ball, but we would see the first score of the game during the play. LSU would eventually get out of the inning but another run would cross the plate before then on a passed ball. 

   LSU would get a runner aboard after a one out walk but the next hitter would ground into a ending inning double play.  We would head to the 2nd inning with the Bulldogs leading, 2-0.




          2nd INNING:

   Will Helmers returned for his second inning of work and would have base runners reach early.  He wouldn't receive much help from his defense as they could of got out the inning with a couple of ground balls hit, but two fielding errors would result in another Bulldogs run. 3-0 Tech....

   Paul Mainieri would have starters on short leash after errors, passed balls, and a poor lack of effort early on.  Zach Arnold would drive one of the wall for a stand up double. Sanford would step up next, coming off the bench and would reach on a base on balls. 
   LSU would have a golden opportunity to cut into the lead with Cade Beloso standing at the plate. But Beloso would fail to cash in hitting a fly out to right field.




          3rd INNING:

   LA Tech would score another run after beginning the inning with back to back doubles. increasing their lead to 4-0. Jacob Hasty would finally settle down  getting the next three hitters out in order to end the scoring threat.

   Trailing by four the Tigers would finally get things going.  After getting a couple runners aboard from a hit batter and a single. LSU would finally get on the scoreboard with a RBI single by Gavin Dugas. LSU would load the bases after Cade Doughty walked, then Arnold would step up to the plate and cash in with a two RBI double to right field.  Doughty would be gunned down at the plate for the final out of the inning. But the Tigers had cut into Tech's lead, 4-3.




          4th INING:

   The Bulldogs would add to their lead as Jorge Corona would hit a leadoff towering homerun into the night. Tech would add another run to their after LSU would continue to struggle in the infield after another fielding error would cost LSU another run, putting the Bulldogs ahead, 6-3.

​   LSU would finally explode in the bottom of the 4th platting five runs to grab the lead, 8-6. The Tigers would score four of those RBI's on five singles, while the final run would score after Arnold would get hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. 




          5th INNING:

   The Bulldogs would manage to load the bases with two outs. Taylor Young would drive a single to center field to plate two more runs for Tech before the Tigers could get out of the inning. We would head to the bottom of the inning all even at 8-8.

   LSU would get things rolling with a leadoff double from Beloso, followed by Drew Bianco beating out the throw on a bunt. With runners on the corners, Morgan would give LSU the lead with an infield single. as  Beloso crossed the plate. 
   Dylan Crews would reach safely on a fielding error, loading the bases with no outs. Another run would score after Dugas would get on by a hit pitch. 
   Doughty would end up on first after a fielder's choice, scoring Morgan from third, and putting runners at the corners with only one out. Tech pitcher Kyle Crigger would record the final two outs, stranding two LSU runners on base. But the Tigers would have an inning, taking a 11-8 lead.



          
          6th INNING:

   Blake Money would enter the contest to pitch for the Tigers and would keep the Bulldogs to their first scoreless inning of the game, facing only four Tech hitters in the frame. 

   LSU would add another run to their lead when Tre' Morgan would come through with a two out, RBI single with Beloso on second. The inning would end on the play though after the score with Morgan being tagged out on a poor base running decision.
   We would head to the 7th with LSU up, 12-8.




          7th INNING:

   Mainieri would go to the bullpen sending in Trent Vietmeier to the mound to face the Tech hitters. After retiring the first two Bulldog hitters, Vietmeier would give up a double, followed by a fielding error that would put runners on the corners. 
   Hunter Wells would foul out to Cade Doughty to end the top of the inning. 

   LSU would separate from Tech in a big fashion with an explosive trip to the plate. With Crews and Dugas on first and second. Arnold would hit a one out single to left field scoring Crews. Dugas would then advance to third on a Mitchell Sanford fly out to center field.
   Doughty would then hit a two RBI triple to left field. Beloso stepped to the plate next and came through with a two out double that would score Doughty from third.
   With the score now 16-8, a lightning strike would halt play.  Both teams would clear the field and the tarp would quickly come onto the field. It wouldn't take long for a decision to be made to call the game due to server weather in the area. 


Final Score
LSU                16
LA Tech          8


   LSU moves to 30-18 on the season after an impressive win over a ranked opponent would was battling for a home Regional opportunity.
   
   Michael Fowler earns the win to improving his record to 1-0 on the season. 

   LSU's offense caught fire midway through the game as they would score in every inning after the 1st & 2nd.

   The Tigers manage 17 hits, coming through with several timely hits with runners in scoring position, making a huge difference in the game.

   With a post season birth on the line LSU would make a huge statement on Tuesday by knocking off a top 15 team, while playing the toughest schedule in the Nation.  The Tigers have also finished the season going undefeated in mid-week games.


Offensive leaders
-Tre Morgan         4-5   2 RBI
-Zach Arnold        3-4   4 RBI
-Dylan Crews       2-4   1 RBI
-Gavin Dugas       2-3   3 RBI
-Cade Beloso       3-5   1 RBI

Winning Pitcher
-Michael Fowler (1-0)

   Next up for the Tigers will be the final SEC series at home when they welcome the Crimson Tide of Alabama for a huge three game series beginning on Friday night at 7pm in front of the Alex Box faithful.
   LSU will be 30-18 (9-15) taking on Alabama 28-17 (11-12).

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Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

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