UCLA sophomore pitcher Trevor Bauer threw the game of his lifeSaturday in a 6-3 win against the LSU baseball team.
In contrast to LSU’s shaky pitching rotation, Bauer struck out 11batters in eight shut out innings.
His lone earned run came during a last gasp rally by the Tigers beforesophomore Dan Klein relieved him.
Now it’s do or die for the Tigers (41-21) as they face UC-Irvine in anelimination game at 4 p.m. Sunday. The winner of that game willface unbeaten UCLA (45-13) at 8 p.m. Sunday night.
“Their starting pitcher was as good as we’ve faced this season,” saidLSU coach Paul Mainieri in a news release. “We’ve faced some goodpitchers this year, but that kid was something special.”
The Bruins took an early lead in the second inning when freshmaninfielder Cody Regis homered off LSU’s starting pitcher, juniorAnthony Ranaudo.
Home runs became the thorn in LSU’s side throughout the game. Freshmanoutfielder Jeff Gelalich smashed number two against Ranaudo andsophomore pinch hitter Dean Espy got the third against freshmanreliever Jordan Rittiner.
LSU’s pitchers have allowed a total of five home runs during the weekend.
While Mainieri looked grimly on the performers of his pitchers, LSU’sbats didn’t fare much better. The Tigers couldn’t put a string of hits together against Bauer for most of the game.
LSU’s bats showed signs of life in the ninth inning. Junior catcherMicah Gibbs reached second base to start the inning thanks to a dropped fly ball.
Gibbs then scored on an RBI double by sophomore shortstop Austin Nola, and junior center fielder Leon Landry hit another double to score Nola,ending Bauer’s night.
The Tigers scored one more run on a sacrifice fly by senior designatedhitter Matt Gaudet, but it was too little, too late as freshman leftfielder Mason Katz popped up to second base to end the game.
“I’m proud of the guys at the end of the game; they just didn’t quit,”Mainieri said. “Hopefully we come out tomorrow and play nine goodinnings and hopefully have a second game after.”
Bauer (10-3) earned the win and Ranaudo (5-3) the loss. Ranaudoallowed four runs on seven hits in six innings with four walks and 10strikeouts.
—-Contact Katherine Terrell at [email protected].