For the second consecutive week, LSU ace Zack Hess struck out a career high 13 batters and propelled the Tigers to a 8-1 win over Toledo on Friday night.
The LSU offense was hot out of the gate with a leadoff single for Antoine Duplantis followed by a successful hit and run from DH Austin Bain to put runners at second and third. A ground out to first base brought home Duplantis and moved Bain to third but that was all the damage the Tigers did in the first, leading 1-0 after one inning of play.
A week after throwing a career high 10 strikeouts against Texas, Hess picked up right where he left off, striking out four of the first six batters and retired the first six batters he faced.
“Boy is that an uplift to our team when we get a start like that on a Friday night,” Coach Paul Mainieri said. “He was in total control so I’m really proud of Zack and the leadership he’s providing.”
Hess began the third with a shaky start, when an opening double from Zach Schwartzenberger had Toledo’s first runner in scoring position with no outs.
A double from the nine hole hitter John Servello brought in a run to close the gap to 3-1. The 29-pitch third inning came to a close as Hess battled back from a 3-0 count to strike out Toledo center fielder Ross Adolph for the second consecutive time.
The sophomore ace was dominante all game, striking out nine batters by the sixth inning and eight of those strikeouts coming from his slider. A double play converted by shortstop Hal Hughes ended the fifth and allowed Hess’ pitch count to remain in tact at 78 pitches.
Hess was pulled in the eighth finishing with 13 strikeouts, six hits and one earned run in seven innings of play. The 13 strikeouts were the most by an LSU pitcher since Alex Lange did it against Kentucky in 2015.
Hess said the most strikeouts he had in high school was 19 or 20, where seven inning games are played at that level.
“Needless to say I have some confidence in being a starter,” Hess said. “I think the big thing is just settling into a routine and I think that really sets you up throughout the duration of a game.”
Sophomore third baseman Jake Slaughter went 3-for-3 on the night and made multiple impressive infield stops. Slaughter’s batting average has risen 200 points over the past week and his confidence is through the roof.
“I feel more relaxed at the plate,” Slaughter said. “I’ve been hitting the ball to the right spots and working really hard with Sean so it’s nice that it’s paying off now.”
Second baseman Brandt Broussard continued his exemplary play by extending his hitting streak to nine games in the bottom of the fourth. LSU would strand runners on second and third in the inning.
Three consecutive walks to begin the seventh had the Tigers in business for some insurance runs with no outs. With the bases loaded, catcher Hunter Feduccia hit the first home run of his LSU career and extended the lead to 7-1.
LSU will be back in action tomorrow afternoon against Sacred Heart at 6 p.m. with Caleb Gilbert on the mound.
