It took an extra day, but LSU got the 2017 season started on a positive note.
LSU defeated the Army Black Knights 9-0 in seven innings, in the first game of the Tigers season opening doubleheader.
“I think that was a good solid outing to start the season,” coach Paul Mainieri said. “Obviously Lange was really sharp. He had great command of all of his pitches and just looked terrific.”
In the bottom of the first inning, sophomore center fielder Antoine Duplantis brought home senior second baseman Cole Freeman home to score on a ground ball out to first base.
Less than a week removed from facial fracture surgery, junior right fielder Greg Deichmann showed no signs of his injury.
Deichmann belted a homerun to centerfield and put the Tigers ahead 3-0 with senior shortstop Kramer Robertson being walked before him.
“People out there are probably wondering is he rushing to get back,” Mainieri said. “He’s ready to go and I knew he was. Once the doctor said there’s no way you’re going to do any damage to it, there was no reason not to put him in. For him to hit one out in his first at bat is natural, he’s a natural.”
The first hit for freshman Jake Slaughter, ended up being a solo homerun to left field to push the Tigers lead to 4-0.
“It was great to see Jake Slaughter hit a homerun,” Mainieri said. “I thought he played really well. We’ve just got to get refocused and get ready for the second game behind Poche’.”
Sophomore outfielder Brennan Breaux leadoff the fifth inning with a single and was brought home to score off of a double from senior second baseman Cole Freeman.
With Freeman and Robertson on the corners in bottom of the fifth inning, Army made its first pitching change of the game. Cameron Opp came in to face Deichmann, who reached on a fielder’s choice that led to a spurt of four more runs to put the Tigers up 9-0.
Junior pitcher Alex Lange pitched five innings, recording six strikeouts. He threw a total of 66 pitches, 44 of those being strikes.
“Any time you can get a 9-0 win, that’s the way you want to start out the season,” Lange said. “I thought everybody played great. We got the jitters out, and now we’re ready to roll. It’s just baseball time now.”
Sophomore pitcher Caleb Gilbert and junior pitcher Austin Bain pitched the final two innings for LSU.
The Tigers now face Army again at 4 p.m. in the second game of the season opening doubleheader.
