LSU (52-10) struck only five hits on Saturday night against The University of Louisiana – Lafayette, two of which seemed to make Alex Box Stadium the loudest place on Earth.
“You know that is not how you draw [wins] up,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri, “but we will take it. I’ve been around this game for a long time, and I’ve seen just about everything. That was one for the ages there.”
The Box shot into a thunderous roar when senior designated hitter Chris Sciambra hit a walk-off home run, giving his team a 4-3 victory against UL-Lafayette (42-22) in Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional. Sciambra, who was moved from leadoff hitter to the No. 8 spot, stepped up when his team needed him, despite his movement in the Tigers’ lineup.
“You prepare your whole life for an at bat and a situation like this,” Sciambra said.
Earlier in the game, LSU claimed its first home run of the postseason when sophomore Jake Fraley blasted a two-run shot over the right-field wall. Fraley, who went 3-3 in the Super Regional clinching game against UNC-Wilmington, also found a new home in the lineup, moving from the No. 8 spot to No. 2.
Sciambra’s solo shot put his team up 1-0 in its best-of-three series against ULL. One more win will solidify the Tigers’ spot in the College World Series.
ULL knows the feeling of a magical home run. Junior Brenn Conrad came into the game in the top of the ninth inning to pinch hit. One pitch later, Conrad drove a ball deep into the right-field bleachers, tying the game at 3 with his first home run of the season.
Conrad, who did not step foot on the field until his moment in the ninth inning, was prepared for whatever Lange was going to throw his way.
“Well, I was able to sit on the bench and watch the whole game,” Conrad said. “I was talking to [ULL coach Tony Robichaux] before my at-bat and asked him what to expect, and he said just go up there and hit the fastball. That’s the first thing I saw, belt-high, and put a good swing on it.”
The Cajuns had hope, but thanks to Sciambra, it was false hope.
LSU, again struggling on offense, fell upon the back of its freshman ace Alex Lange (11-0), who delivered 11 strikeouts in 109 pitches through eight innings.
Lange commanded his pitches better tonight than he did in his most recent appearance against UNC-Wilmington, where he found himself down in many counts by not throwing strikes. After finding his breaking ball and offspeed pitches, the freshman seemed to be nearly unstoppable.
“I felt good,” Lange said. “I had my stuff working. The command was there. I had one bad pitch tonight, and I wish I could have it back.”
Lange went head-to-head with ULL’s Wyatt Marks. Marks threw for seven innings, allowing four hits, three earned runs and six strikeouts.
Conrad’s home run put an end to Lange’s night as the freshman almost pitched for his second complete-game in a row. Reluctantly, Mainieri replaced Lange with sophomore Parker Bugg in the ninth inning, but he still gave Lange praise for his performance.
“Alex Lange just put the team on his shoulders tonight,” Mainieri said. “He gave us a real chance. I wanted to see him finish there in the ninth. He threw a first-pitch fastball for a strike, which is exactly what he is supposed to do, and the kid hit his first home run of the year. Give credit to him.”
Mainieri said he’s grateful having Lange as an effective piece of his roster.
“I wouldn’t trade my guy for anybody in the world,” Mainieri said. “Alex Lange is the ultimate warrior, and he just battles. He makes big pitches at big times. He’s got great stuff and he’s got the fortitude to make great pitches. He’s a great guy to have on our team.”
LSU and ULL will play on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium in Game 2 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional. Mainieri said LSU will put sophomore Jared Poche’ (8-1, 3.05 ERA) in to start on the mound for the second game of the series.
You can follow Christian Boutwell on Twitter @CBoutwell_TDR.