Strong performances by LSU senior pitcher Louis Coleman and junior outfielder Blake Dean led the No. 2 LSU baseball team past No. 11 Ole Miss in the second game of a weekend series at Alex Box Stadium
Coleman (6-1) recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts in seven innings, allowing only one earned run.
Dean had four hits and four RBI, both season highs for the outfielder.
“I think those kind of games are the ones that break the ice,” Dean said. “Once you get things rolling … you feel in place and things come smoother and easier.”
LSU drew first blood in the bottom of the third. Junior outfielder Jared Mitchell singled to left field, driving in freshman third baseman Tyler Hanover.
Dean added to the total by hitting in Mitchell to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Junior second baseman Ryan Schimpf singled between the infield and outfield and Dean scored to increase the Tigers’ lead to 3-0.
The Rebels got on the board in the top of the sixth with a hit by first baseman Matt Smith that brought in left fielder Logan Power.
The Tigers responded and took a commanding lead in the bottom of sixth when Dean hit a single to score three batters, extending the lead to 6-1.
The Rebels added another run in the eighth, and LSU freshman pitcher Matty Ott gave up three runs in the ninth.
But Ott threw a strikeout out to end the game, 6-5.
“In the end, he made the big pitches,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “It doesn’t matter if you give up three runs or no runs. The bottom line is you got the job done.”
Sophomore pitcher Austin Ross (3-2) is set to start for the Tigers in the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
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