With LSU junior first baseman Sean Ochinko in a slump entering the Tigers’ series against Mississippi State, LSU coach Paul Mainieri benched Ochinko in favor of LSU junior outfielder Leon Landry in the Tigers’ 12-4 win against Centenary on Tuesday night.
That move may foreshadow things to be for the rest of the season, as Ochinko went 0-for-7 in the first two games against MSU and was benched again entering the third game of the series. LSU junior Ryan Schimpf moved from left field to first base to make room for Landry in the outfield.
Landry came up big in his first Southeastern Conference start since April 19, going 5-for-6 with three home runs and 7 RBI to help lead LSU to a 15-4 victory against the Bulldogs.
Landry’s five hits were a career high and the most for any Tiger this season.
The sophomore’s home runs were his first since March 22 against South Carolina and the most for any Tiger in a game since Quinn Stewart hit three in 2006 in a non-conference game and the most in an SEC game since Eddy Furniss hit three in 1998 against Auburn.
The Tigers got 23 hits in the game, a season high.
With the victory, No. 2 LSU (41-15, 20-10) clinched a share of the regular season SEC title, as Ole Miss swept Arkansas to tie LSU for the crown.
The title is the first for the Tigers since 2003 and their 14th overall, tying them for most in the league’s history with Alabama.
“I’m so proud of our players for winning the Southeastern Conference championship,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said in a news release. “It’s a tremendous accomplishment to be champions of the best league in the nation. Our players come to LSU for opportunities like this, and it’s a tribute to their hard work and dedication that they’ve earned the right to be called SEC champions.”
LSU sophomore Austin Ross got the start for the Tigers, going two innings due to the rain delay, giving up a run on three hits while striking out two.
The Tigers pounded MSU right-handed pitcher Devin Jones early after struggling against MSU’s southpaw starters in the first two games of the series. He lasted only two innings, giving up six runs on seven hits.
Landry led off the game with a home run to right center on the second pitch of his at bat, putting the Tigers up, 1-0.
The Tigers continued their scoring in the second inning, putting five runs on the board.
Schimpf doubled in two runs to start the scoring, and Dean followed up Schimpf with his second home run in as many games, his 14th long ball of the season, putting the Tigers on top, 6-0.
MSU answered in the second on a trio of singles that ended with a Bulldog scoring on a fielding error by LSU right fielder Jared Mitchell.
The game was called in the top of the third due to inclement weather.
The Tigers scored after the game was resumed when Landry hit a two-out single to score Gibbs from second, putting LSU up, 7-1.
Mississippi State cut the score to 7-2 in the third on a double by first baseman Connor Powers.
Landry added another home run with two outs in the fifth — this time a two run shot to put the Tigers up, 9-2.
Schimpf followed Landry’s fifth-inning home run with a single, and Dean knocked in Schimpf with a double for his fourth RBI of the game.
MSU answered in the bottom of the fifth with a pair of runs on a double and a sacrifice fly.
Mitchell hit a stand up triple in the eighth inning to score LSU third baseman Tyler Hanover to put the Tigers up, 11-4. Mitchell later scored on a sacrifice fly to give LSU a 12-4 lead.
Mitchell went 3-for-4 in the game.
Later in the inning, Landry hit his third home run of the game, a three-run shot, to put LSU up, 15-4.
LSU relief pitching went seven innings, giving up three runs on five hits.—-Contact Andy Schwehm at [email protected]