With a one-run lead, LSU sophomore pitcher Jared Poche’ looked destined for a valued accomplishment in baseball – a complete game.
But there’s a reason at least nine innings are played on the diamond.
The No. 1 Tigers (39-7, 15-6 Southeastern Conference) overcame Mississippi State’s game-tying double in the bottom of the ninth inning to complete a 5-3 victory in 14 innings on Thursday night at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi.
LSU senior third baseman Conner Hale’s two-run double in the top of 14th secured game one of the three-game set against the Bulldogs (23-23, 7-14 SEC).
Although he registered a no decision, Poche’s nine innings were a career high. Much like his recent outings, though, Poche’ ran into brief trouble out of the gate.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead via three straight singles in the bottom first inning, leading to two runs scored. Mississippi State senior first baseman Wes Rea drove in sophomore catcher Gavin Collins, and sophomore left fielder Reid Humphreys pushed across sophomore third baseman Luke Reynolds on fielder’s choice.
After that however, Poche’ was dominant.
The Lutcher, Louisiana native shutout the Bulldogs through his next seven innings on the mound, surrendering only one hit while retiring 10 straight batters from the end of the first into the fourth. Poche’ only struck out two in those seven innings, but let his defense work to the tune of 10 ground outs. The lefty also walked only one Bulldog hitter in his first eight innings.
After another slow start, the LSU offense finally evened the score in the top of the fourth, capitalizing on numerous Bulldog miscues.
Hale reached the basepaths on an error committed by Reynolds to leadoff the inning. LSU senior catcher Kade Scivicque was then plunked with a pitch, which set up junior center fielder Andrew Stevenson bunt single to load the bases.
On the following at-bat, Mississippi State senior starting pitcher Lucas Laster’s first pitch to junior first baseman Chris Chinea got away from the catcher, allowing Hale to race home for LSU’s first run. Laster then walked Chinea, and sophomore designated hitter Danny Zardon followed with an RBI single through the left side to tie the game, 2-2.
Bolstered by a leadoff double into left field by junior shortstop Alex Bregman, LSU took the lead in the following inning. After Bregman’s double, sophomore Zac Houston relieved Laster, but Hale singled on the next at-bat to put runners on the corners with no outs. Although Scivicque followed by grounding into a double play, Bregman scored to grab a 3-2 lead.
With Poche’ cruising into the ninth inning, the Bulldogs registered back-to-back singles brought Humphreys to the plate with runners on first and second. Humphreys then drove a ball over Stevenson’s head, banging off the wall in center field, to score Reynolds easily
Mississippi State had another opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the 11th on the freshman shortstop Ryan Gridley’s single, but LSU left fielder Jake Fraley delivered a one-hop throw to the plate to tag out sophomore center fielder Jacob Robson, ending the inning.
With scoreless relief performances from sophomore Parker Bugg, senior Zac Person and freshman Jake Godfrey, who got the win, redshirt freshman Jesse Stallings was able to complete his 12th save in the bottom of the 14th inning.