It was a tale of two different games for LSU on Friday, as the Tigers split a doubleheader against the Kentucky Wildcats.
LSU (27-13, 10-7 Southeastern Conference) was overpowered in the first game, falling 12-5 to the Wildcats.
Kentucky (27-13, 11-6 SEC) strung 12 runs together on 16 hits, both opponent highs versus LSU this season.
The Wildcats’ designated hitter Luke Becker came off the bench and delivered two home runs.
One being a grand slam off of LSU’s Russell Reynolds. Kentucky second baseman Riley Mahan finished 5-for-5 with three RBIs.
In his 10th start this season, senior pitcher Jared Poche’ gave up five runs on seven hits in a brief stint of three innings. Poche’ has now given up 22 runs in 33.1 innings against SEC opponents.
The Tigers entered the seventh inning down 6-2, and picked up a run while loading the bases due to a double from senior second baseman Cole Freeman. However, senior catcher Jordan Romero grounded into a double play ball that ended the inning.
Trailing 12-4 in the ninth inning junior right fielder Greg Deichmann led the inning off by sending a solo home run into right field for his 13th of year, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback for the Tigers.
In the second game, junior pitcher Alex Lange started for the Tigers and went 5 ⅔ innings while allowing seven hits, eight walks, and three earned runs with seven strikeouts.
Kentucky’s Kole Cottam got things started with a solo home run off of Lange to put the Wildcats up 1-0 in the second inning.
The Wildcats tacked on another run after loading the bases and first baseman Evan White was walked in to make it a 2-0 lead.
An RBI double from Kentucky’s left fielder Zach Reks put the Wildcats out in front 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
LSU rallied from behind to tie the game in the fifth.
The Tigers loaded the bases and scored their first run after Cole Freeman was hit by a pitch.
Junior infielder Nick Coomes followed with a two-RBI single that tied the game at 3-3.
An RBI single from Antoine Duplantis gave the Tigers their first lead of the series, 4-3, in the top of the 8th inning. Josh Smith scored from second base after he and Michael Papierski singled prior to Duplantis’ at-bat.
That lead proved to be enough for freshman pitcher Zack Hess.
Hess entered the fifth inning to record the final out and stayed on the mound for the rest of the game while never giving up a run. In his 3 ⅓ innings, Hess allowed a hit and two walks with one strikeout.
The rubber match between LSU and Kentucky will be played on Sunday at noon. Eric Walker will start on the mound for LSU.
