It was hard to decide which pitcher was more impressive through the first six innings in LSU’s 4-1 victory over ULM Friday night.
The Tiger freshman who could no wrong in Aaron Nola? Or the former Tiger, junior Randy Zeigler, who was able to quiet the bats of No. 7 LSU for the majority of the game?
Eventually, however, the seventh inning decided which team would prevail in the hard-fought pitchers dual after Zeigler allowed a Tyler Hanover single up the middle that would drive in two runs.
“Coach Mainieri came up to me before the at-bat and asked me if I wanted to bunt, or get the job done with the bat,” Hanover said. “I told him I want to get the job done with the bat… I was fortunate enough to put a good swing on it, and get the ball up the middle.”
Zeigler, a member of the Tiger’s 2009 national championship season who transferred after needing Tommy John’s surgery, pitched a two-hitter through six innings before LSU’s offensive explosion in the bottom of the seventh.
Nola posted a career night for the Tigers, striking out 10 through eight innings, allowing only four hits and one earned run. Nola was also able to retire the side without giving up a base six out of the eight innings he pitched.
“Aaron and Randy were going after each other one pitch at a time,” Mainieri said. “I think our defense might have made the difference in the game. They had a couple of missed plays, and we played flawlessly.”
The biggest scare for the Tigers came in the top of the seventh when Nola intentionally walked the bases loaded after giving up a double and a single earlier in the inning. LSU was able to escape unscathed, however, after ULM junior designated hitter, Corben Green, grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.
“We’ve been in that situation before,” said ULM coach Jeff Schexnaider. “It was a let down for our guys because we felt it coming as an opportunity and in games like this you cant miss those opportunities.”
The Tigers will face off against Oregon St. Saturday night after the Beavers were able to beat Belmont 2-1 earlier in the day.
Mainieri has already announced that sophomore pitcher Kevin Gausman will get the start against Oregon St. The Beavers have not announced who their starter will be, however, speculation points to sophomore Ben Wetzler. ____ Contact Mike Gegenheimer at [email protected]