After an hour long delay to begin the rubber match between LSU and Missouri, it was LSU who won its first SEC series of the season with a 7-5 victory.
Offense for both clubs came early and plentiful with an eventful first few innings of play. LSU scored a run in each of its first three innings while a big first inning from Missouri kept them afloat.
It was a rough first inning for starting pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard, who had gone 17 innings without surrendering a run in his collegiate career. A three hit, two run first inning by Missouri ended that streak and closing out innings became an issue for the freshman.
“He’s a great competitor with great ability,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said of Hilliard. “He’s got ice in his veins.
After two quick outs to begin the second and third innings, Hilliard allowed two men on base in each inning. While he was able to get out of the scrapes, the added pitches were something he could’ve done without.
LSU’s offense was off and running in the first as well with a leadoff single from sophomore centerfielder Zach Watson followed by a successful hit and run that left runners on the corners with no outs. A sac fly from junior Antoine Duplantis made it a 2-1 ball game
Some two out magic from LSU occurred in the second when Watson came through with an RBI single after Chris Reid reached on a walk. With two hits through two innings, Watson also extended his hitting streak to seven games. One more run scored in the third gave LSU the 3-2 advantage as Hilliard continued to cruise through the game.
Two stolen bases by Beau Jordan with two outs in the fifth inning had Alex Box fans on their feet, pleading for an RBI.
Catcher Hunter Feduccia would ground out to shortstop and end the threat. The Jordan brothers went 3-for-3 on steals for the day when Bryce stole his second base of the day in the sixth.
A big sixth inning from LSU extended its lead to three insurance runs but could’ve been more.
Shortstop Hal Hughes plastered a hard line drive in the gap, scoring a run but got greedy trying to turn the single into a double and was thrown out at second.
Watson connected on his third hit of the game which tacked on another run and a double for Broussard would bring Watson home from second.
The three run inning made it 6-2 to give LSU some breathing room.
“First inning when another team scores is the toughest answer,” Watson said. “Ma’Khail’s got a major league curveball. He’s a fighter and won’t give up like he showed. To throw five shutout innings after the first inning was impressive.”
Hilliard was replaced by AJ Labas in the seventh and finished with a season high six strikeouts, two earned runs on six hits.
“It was very important to rebound after that first inning,” Hilliard said. “I just made sure to trust my defense to help lesson the damage.”
Labas along with sophomore Nick Bush pitched two shutout innings but closer Austin Bain struggled to replicate that success. The senior gave up a three run blast in the ninth to bring the score to 7-5. Bain would strikeout the next batter and force a popfly to end the game.
Up next for LSU is a midweek game with Tulane on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium.
