LSU was able to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after a Mason Katz home run that sailed over the left field fence.
The Tigers got on the scoreboard after the top of the fourth saw UCLA get a runner into scoring position but ace sophomore pitcher Aaron Nola get UCLA left-fielder Brenton Allen to strike out looking.
Other than the Katz home run, there have been no extra base hits by either team so far in the game. The Katz home run was the first of the College World Series and he was the first Tiger to hit a home run in TD Ameritrade Park.
After the Katz homer, the game returned to the pitching duel it had through the first three innings.
LSU went without a hit in the fifth, while UCLA tried its hand at small ball, bunting runners over to second following singles.
UCLA was finally able to break through in the top of the sixth after a throwing error by catcher Ty Ross. Leadoff hitter Brian Carroll attempted a bunt and Ross missed the first baseman on the throw, allowing Carroll to move to second. After a ground out to junior JaCoby Jones that allowed Carroll to move to third, a sacrifice fly brought in the first Bruin run of the game.
LSU responded in the bottom of the sixth with single by freshman Mark Laird and a Katz walk on a seven-pitch at-bat, but senior Raph Rhymes wasn’t able to put LSU ahead as he flew out to the center fielder to end the inning for the Tigers.
UCLA gave the Tigers a scare in the top of the seventh when Nola hit DH Kevin Williams with a pitch. Williams then advanced all the way to third after stealing two bases. But Nola was able to put out the fire after inducing a ground ball to Jones to get the Tigers out of the inning.
Junior third baseman Christian Ibarra — who has gone hitless in his last 18 at-bats — and Ross both went down on the first pitch to open up the bottom of the seventh for the Tigers. Jones followed with a walk for the Tigers on just five pitches. But the threat proved to be a short one as freshman outfielder Andrew Stevenson struck out swinging to end the seventh inning.
Nola will stay in to pitch the eight.
