GAME ONE: Florida 2, LSU 1
With one swing, LSU’s fears were realized in the first game of a doubleheader against Florida on Saturday.
LSU junior starting pitcher Aaron Nola entered the inning allowing only one run on five hits, striking out five and walking one. After recording two outs, Nola served a pitch to Florida junior left fielder Justin Shafer, who launched the ball over the left field wall.
Nola threw 116 pitches in the outing, picking up his first loss of the 2014 campaign. The two earned runs he surrendered were only the second and third runs he’s allowed to cross the plate this season.
Offensively, LSU only mustered seven hits off Florida sophomore starter Eric Hanhold. The Tigers left seven runners on base, including two key instances late in the contest.
In the top of the seventh with runners on first and second and one out, LSU sophomore shortstop Alex Bregman stepped to the plate looking to break out of his recent hitting slump.
The Albuquerque, N.M., native proceeded to ground into a double play, ending the Tigers’ threat.
One inning later, junior second baseman Conner Hale grounded into a double play in the same scenario.
Mainieri decided to put Bregman in the leadoff spot – Bregman went 0-for-4, dropping his batting average to .315.
GAME TWO: Florida 6, LSU 2
Coming off a solid pitching performance in this previous start against Georgia, LSU freshman southpaw Jared Poche’ looked to keep his momentum flowing in the right direction in the second game of a doubleheader against the Gators on Saturday.
For four innings, Poche’ dominated Florida’s hitters, but in the bottom of the fifth, his outing quickly went array.
After surrendering a leadoff walk, Poche’ allowed two of the next three hitters to reach base (one by intentional walk). With the bases loaded and one out, Florida freshman first baseman Peter Alonso hit a ground ball to LSU freshman second baseman Kramer Robertson.
Robertson fumbled the ball, then proceeded to make an errant throw to first, allowing two runs to score. A sacrifice fly later in the inning gave the Gators a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Poche’ surrendered a leadoff walk and an infield single before Gators’ junior catcher Taylor Gushue launched a three-run home run.
LSU’s offense had only six base hits, and two runs were brought home on RBI singles by Robertson and senior third baseman Christian Ibarra in the top of the eighth.
Bregman finished 0-for-8 in the series, dropping his average to .303.
LSU junior pitcher Aaron Nola (10) warms up Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 during the Tigers' 9-0 victory against Virginia Tech at Alex Box Stadium.
