LSU’s slump continued as the Tigers (9-4) lost their third game in four tries to McNeese State 5-4.
It’s the second straight season LSU was defeated by McNeese and the Tigers are 1-2 versus Southland opponents this season after a loss to the University of New Orleans and win against Nicholls St. last week.
LSU got into an early hole after freshman pitcher Zach Hess allowed an RBI double in the first inning.
The Tigers quickly rebounded with a two out RBI single from Beau Jordan that scored third baseman Josh Smith to make it 1-1 through the top of the second inning.
To end the second inning, leadoff batter Mitchell Rodgers took a Hess pitch over the wall that gave McNeese a 2-1 lead, forcing Hess to pitch 38 times in the first two innings alone.
LSU responded in the third when an RBI single by Smith scored senior shortstop Kramer Robertson with runners on first and second.
McNeese made its first pitching change as a result as Grant Anderson replaced his brother and starting pitcher Aiden Anderson.
Hess was replaced by junior pitcher Austin Bain in the third inning after giving up another run to give McNeese a 3-2 lead after three innings. Hess finished the day allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts.
LSU pitchers had a difficult time with walks as Hess walked four batters and Bain walking two more through the first four innings.
The Tigers also had some scary moments with injuries on the night as Josh Smith was hit on the hand by a pitch but would continue to play in the game. Junior catcher Michael Papierski also had to be tended too, but he stayed in the game as well.
LSU was able to break the scoring drought in the seventh. The Tigers tied the game after an RBI groundout by freshman first baseman Jake Slaughter sent home a run.
McNeese was able to retake the lead in the bottom of the seventh after a successful squeeze play that scored one run. The Cowboys led 4-3 heading into the eighth inning.
The Cowboys added an insurance run in the eighth with a home run by DH Mitchell Rogers giving McNeese a 5-3 edge.
In the ninth, LSU had two runners in scoring position with one out and the leading run at the plate.
Sophomore infielder Chris Reid knocked a RBI single into left field scoring Smith leaving runners on the corners.
Two batters later, Lake Charles native Beau Jordan came up to the plate only to ground out to ending the game.
LSU will come back to Alex Box this weekend for a three-game series against Wichita State beginning on Friday at 7 p.m.
