In what was a make-or-break series for LSU, the Tigers showed up and took care of business.
LSU showed its superiority both on the mound and at the plate, outscoring Auburn 18-4 during the three-game weekend series.
A big key for LSU at the plate was junior catcher Michael Papierski, who had two home runs and five RBIs.
Papierski’s two-run home run to break a three-all tie in the seventh inning of game twp turned out to be the series clinching home run in LSU 5-3 win, and his two-run home run in game three knocked Auburn’s ace Casey Mize off the mound early.
Following junior pitcher Alex Lange’s complete-game shutout in LSU’s 4-0 victory in game one and senior Jared Poche’s gritty game two performance, the Tigers saw freshman Eric Walker flirt with a no-hitter through 7 ⅔ innings in the series finale.
Walker had his best game of the season, and only allowed one hit, a solo home run, through eight innings. His dominance contributed to LSU’s 9-1 mauling of Auburn, and closed out the series sweep.
LSU was helped by strong defensive play by freshman third baseman Josh Smith and its middle infield duo of Kramer Robertson and Cole Freeman.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of our team,” coach Paul Mainieri said following game three. “I just thought we played outstanding baseball all weekend in every facet of the game.”
“Everybody knew what was at stake this weekend. They knew if we got the job done, it would certainly make the last weekend of the season very exciting.”
Playing for championships
LSU (35-17, 18-9 SEC) is now in sole possession of the SEC Western Division with a one-game lead on their next conference opponent, Mississippi State (33-19, 17-10 SEC).
Now ranked No. 10 in the country, the Tigers have set themselves up within striking distance of a national seed, and only need one win against Mississippi State to win a share of the west.
“Starting next weekend, we play for championships,” Mainieri said. “That’s why players come to LSU. They play for championships, they play to prepare themselves to get ready for the major leagues, and this is when the fun times really begin.”
The Tigers will start off their final week of the regular season with the home finale against in-state opponent Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The team will then travel to Starkville for their final conference series against Mississippi State which begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
