Despite a meager showing on the mound, No. 9 LSU patched together a series of runs to defeat Stephen F. Austin 9-2 Tuesday evening in Alex Box Stadium.
Through four innings, LSU starting senior pitcher Brent Bonvillain gave up four hits and one run and allowed three walks. LSU junior pitcher Will LaMarche followed suit, pitching one inning but giving up a run and walking three batters.
“It was very uncharacteristic of us tonight with our control, pitching-wise,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “… We just didn’t have great command.”
Altogether, LSU (11-1) pitchers Bonvillain, LaMarche, junior Nate Fury, senior Kevin Berry and freshman Taylor Butler walked seven batters and threw eight strikeouts.
Before Tuesday’s game, the Tigers had only walked 15 batters this season.
“It usually takes about two weeks for us to walk seven batters,” Mainieri said.
A showing like Bonvillain’s could cost the left-hander his place as the third weekend starter. During the Tigers’ first two weekend series, Bonvillain started the third game. During the most recent weekend series, sophomore Cody Glenn started the third game in place of Bonvillain so the former Nicholls State player didn’t have to pitch against his previous team.
Following Tuesday’s game, pitching coach Alan Dunn kept Bonvillain on the field after the other players left. Bonvillain said he fell behind on hits and that led to walks.
“I had a solid first three innings and then that fourth inning, man, it got me again. I ran out of gas,” Bonvillain said. “I started walking guys, and that’s not a good story for success.”
A slew of usual non-starters took advantage of Stephen F. Austin’s (3-7) pitchers who, like LSU’s, were lacking. Freshman center fielder Andrew Stevenson, freshman catcher Chris Chinea and junior right fielder Sean McMullen got RBIs and cumulatively batted in three runs.
Stevenson introduced himself to the Tiger nation with his first career home run in the third inning.
“I didn’t know it was gonna go at first, and I rounded the bases,” Stevenson said. “I saw everybody cheering so I just started running.”
Mainieri said Stevenson can be an inconsistent swinger in practice, but seems to come through with big hits in scrimmages and games.
“I was really happy for all those guys,” Mainieri said of Stevenson, Chinea and McMullen. “Mission accomplished as far as getting some different guys in there.”
Veteran hitters and seniors Raph Rhymes and Mason Katz continued their 10-game hitting streaks with one and two hits, respectively. Katz began the Tigers’ scoring spree with a single to right field. Stephen F. Austin right fielder Jackson Hood dropped the ball, allowing Katz to advance to third and Rhymes to score. Eight different LSU batters crossed home plate during the game.
Junior pitcher Nick Rumbelow will start the Tigers’ game against Sacred Heart at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Alex Box Stadium. Mainieri said Rumbelow will probably pitch two innings before turning to the bullpen.
