Whether it was in the batting order or on the mound, there was only one term to describe LSU’s (5-0) performance in a 9-0 victory against Virginia Tech on Friday night: a masterpiece.
Junior right-hander Aaron Nola (2-0) took the mound for the second time this season to face a Virginia Tech squad that hosted the NCAA Blacksburg Regional last year.
The Hokies (1-2) never had a chance.
Nola strolled out to the mound and kept Virginia Tech off balance for seven innings of no-hit baseball, walking only one and striking out nine.
“I wasn’t even really thinking about it, to be honest,” Nola said. “I was just kind of going out and trying to limit damage and put up zeroes.”
The last time an LSU pitcher went seven or more innings without giving up a hit was in 1995 when Brian Winders entered the ninth inning of a no-hit bid.
Though Nola had thrown 87 pitches through seven innings, Mainieri said he never questioned letting him trot back out to the mound in the top of the eighth though the Baton Rouge native had retired 13 straight Virginia Tech hitters.
“I understand people would have loved to have seen the no-hitter, but paramount to me is that boy’s health and his future, and I’m never going to do anything to put him at risk,” Mainieri said. “That was the right thing to do.”
Nola said he didn’t argue with Mainieri’s decision.
“Coach sounded pretty demanding when he told me in the bottom of the sixth,” Nola said. “He told me he was going to give me 15 pitches, and that’s it. I understand where he’s coming from. We’re not trying to rush anything.”
Offensively, the Tigers provided their ace with more than enough run support.
The Tigers consistently put the ball in play, collecting nine hits and capitalizing on three Virginia Tech errors.
Sophomore center fielder Andrew Stevenson started the scoring barrage with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the second inning.
One batter later, senior designated hitter flexed his muscles on a high fastball, propelling it into the right field bleachers for a three-run home run to give the Tigers an early 4-0 lead.
“I didn’t know it was gone, but I definitely barreled it up,” McMullen said. “Once I saw the right fielder turn his back and sprint, I was thinking triple. I wanted to light that Tobasco sign up for the first time.”
LSU’s lineup currently has four hitters batting .375 or higher in the starting lineup, and both the leadoff man and No. 9 hole picked up RBIs against the Hokies.
Friday night was the fourth consecutive game where the Tigers scored six or more runs.
“It was only a matter of time until our bats started getting hot,” McMullen said. “We’ve got a really good team, and the kids who are sitting the bench can really swing it. I’ve really got confidence in anybody in this lineup, and I’m really looking forward to this year.”

Gallery • 9 Photos

Charles Champagne

LSU junior pitcher Aaron Nola (10) winds up Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 during the Tigers' 9-0 victory against Virginia Tech at Alex Box Stadium.