A couple of weeks ago, many wondered if LSU would host an NCAA Baseball Regional. It turns out they’ll host a Super Regional as the Fighting Tigers defeated Southern Miss 6-4 to win the Baton Rouge Regional. Since Florida State upset Georgia twice over the weekend in Athens, the Tigers will host a Super Regional Series against the Seminoles that will begin either Friday and Saturday.
It was not an easy victory for the Tigers on Sunday night. It looked like it could be a walk in the park. In the bottom of the 1st inning, Josh Smith hit the first pitch over the right field wall. Smith would give the Tigers a 3-0 lead with a two-run triple in the 2nd inning.
But Southern Miss southpaw Josh Lewis settled in and the Golden Eagles rallied back to take a 4-3 lead in the 5th inning. Southern Miss rallied back from 4-0 deficit to tie the game on Saturday night and earlier on Sunday, they came back from a six-run deficit to eliminate Arizona State 13-12.
LSU re-took the lead with three runs in the 7th inning. Zach Watson singled to center field to drive home two runs and give the Tigers a 5-4. Watson scored on a Saul Garza double off the wall in right center.
Trent Vietmeier earned the win, pitching two scoreless innings. Devin Fontenot earned the save, with a scoreless 8th and 9th inning.
Eric Walker started and allowed four runs in 4.2 innings. Matthew Beck got a huge strikeout with the bases loaded in the 5th inning to end the Golden Eagles rally.
The 13th seeded LSU Tigers are now 40-24 and they will compete in a Super Regional for the 8th time in 12 years.
