How it happened: LSU starting pitcher Kade Anderson struck out 11 over seven innings and the Tigers offense jumped on former Tigers pitcher Micah Buckham for six runs in the first three innings in a 12-0 dominating win over Dallas Baptist. Sloppy game for the Patriots, a season-high four errors and DBU pitchers walked seven hitters and hit five others.
Magic Moment: LSU scored two runs in the first inning on Ethan Frey’s two-run double down the right field line. But Dallas Baptist had a chance to respond in the second inning.
Anderson walked the first hitter he faced in the second inning and then gave up single. With runners on first and second and no one out, Anderson got a big strikeout.
Then the play of the game happened. DBU catcher Adam Berghult hit a sinking liner to left field and Derek Curiel made a diving catch. Curiel immediately threw the ball to first base to get Keaton Grady, who couldn’t get back to the bag in time and was tagged out.
Grady over slid the bag and touched the green base at first, instead of the white base and he was called out.
LSU Offense: Chris Stanfield led the way with three hits and drove in three runs. Stanfield hit his first home run of the season in the second inning. An opposite field shot that just got over the right field wall. You know it’s your night when Stanfield is hitting a home run.
Luis Hernandez and Frey each drove in two runs.
Steven Milam had two hits, he walked twice and was hit by a pitch. The Monster has reached base safely in his last seven plate appearances.
The Tigers took advantage of 12 free passes as Dallas Baptist walked seven hitters and also hit five batters.
The Patriots also committed a season high four errors. They came into the Regional, ranked 9th in Division One with a fielding percentage of .982.
The third error allowed Frey to score after he hit a ball off the center field wall. CF Nathan Humphreys couldn’t pick up the rolling ball in center field.
DBU’s performance was like what we’ve seen in the past. A team not used to playing in front a big and raucous crowd, melting in front of a jacked-up Alex Box Stadium.
It would have been a great story for DBU if Bucknam came into the Box and shut down his former team, but instead he allowed six runs in 2.2 innings.
I’ve only seen DBU play three games, but I was surprised they used James Ellwanger. He’s got some good numbers, and he came into the game with the Patriots down by five.
LSU’s Pitching: Anderson was awesome once he got settled in. DBU had a chance in the first couple of innings. The sophomore left-hander struggled with his command and the Patriots did a good job of making him work, by fouling off some pitches.
But after the second inning, he only allowed three base runners.
Anderson struck out 11 and now leads the country in strikeouts, surpassing Tennessee’s Liam Doyle for most strikeouts in the country. Anderson has 156, Doyle 153 and LSU’s Anthony Eyanson, who pitched a gem on Friday, has 132 strikeouts.
LSU has yet to allow a run in the Baton Rouge Regional.
They are only the second SEC team to open a Regional with back-to-back shutouts. Florida in 1991 was the other.
Up Next: Dallas Baptist will now have to win two games to force a championship game. The Patriots will face Little Rock at 2 PM. The Trojans eliminated Rhode Island 22-10 on Saturday afternoon.
LSU will wait to play the winner of Little Rock-DBU and the Regional Final will begin at 8 PM.
Who will LSU start on the mound? Casan Evans and Jaden Noot are the most likely candidates. I’ll go with Noot.
Number 1s going down: It’s been a crazy NCAA Baseball Tournament. In the 16 regionals, seven of the number one seeds have lost a game and Oregon has been eliminated.
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