In what was supposed to be a close matchup between college baseball’s two hottest teams, Oregon State routed LSU 13-1.
The Tigers trotted out freshman Eric Walker to the mound, and expected to see another standout performance. But, that wasn’t the case.
Walker was removed in the third inning due to arm soreness that he had been dealing with for over a week. Walker was relieved by sophomore Caleb Gilbert, who struck out two batters in the inning.
“I think it’s just a fatigued muscle,” coach Paul Mainieri said. “He’s pitched more innings this year than he ever has, and I think he’s running a little bit dry.”
With the Tiger bats ice cold, Gilbert held the Beavers down until the fifth inning. After an error by senior shortstop Kramer Robertson with one out, Oregon State hit back-to-back singles, and scored two runs to increase its lead to 3-0.
LSU would get out the inning thanks to a strikeout by reliever Nick Bush with the bases loaded.
After an error and a walk with one out in the bottom of the fifth, LSU appeared to be in business. However, that opportunity was quickly eliminated by a strikeout from designated hitter Beau Jordan, and freshman Josh Smith being thrown at third base on the double play.
The game would unravel further for LSU in the sixth inning, as Oregon State would score five runs on one hit and four walks in the inning.
With an eight run lead, Oregon State would continue to pile on LSU throughout the game. The Tigers would use eight pitches in the game, and saw a combined 11 hits, 13 runs and 12 walks allowed.
Oregon State’s pitching controlled the LSU lineup throughout the night. The Tigers managed one run on just four hits and three walks, with the sole run coming on a home run by freshman center fielder Zach Watson in the seventh inning.
The loss knocks LSU into the loser’s bracket, where they will face a rematch against Florida State in an elimination game on Wednesday.
“They’ll be ready to play, and we’ve got to be ready to play as well, and it’s going to take everything we can do to win a game,” Mainieri said.
Senior lefty Jared Poche is expected to take the mound against the Seminoles. Poche pitched 2⅔ innings on Saturday in the Tigers 5-4 win over Florida State.
The loss ends LSU’s win streak at 17 games, it is the first loss for the Tigers since a 7-6 loss to South Alabama on May 9.
