A switch in the lineup may have provided a spark, but it was LSU’s most consistent contributor who provided the firepower.
Junior centerfielder Mikie Mahtook provided two hits and scored two runs as LSU (18-7) snapped a two-game losing
streak by defeating McNeese State, 6-0.
The game looked to be a defensive struggle on an unusually cold night in Alex Box Stadium, with neither team able improve through the first three innings.
“It was some tough hitting conditions tonight, with the wind blowing so hard and chilly,” LSU coach Paul Maineiri said.
However, a Mahtook triple that banged off the wall helped to put the Tigers on the board in the fourth inning, and LSU scored in each of the next three innings as well to ice its second victory in eight games.
“I hit that ball about as good as I’m going to hit it,” Mahtook said. “I don’t think I’m going to hit a ball better than that this whole year, but I knew today wasn’t a day you were supposed to hit it to centerfield.”
The triple extended Mahtook’s hitting streak to a team-best 11 games. He is also the only Tiger to reach base in all 25 games this season.
LSU also received a boost during a 13-pitch at bat in which junior shortstop Austin Nola fought off eight two-strike pitches before finally drawing a walk.
Nola then stole second, allowing LSU to score two runners
when sophomore right fielder Mason Katz singled up the middle.
“This is what baseball is all about – pitcher vs. hitter,” Mainieri said. “It’s not good enough just to battle; you’ve got to win it at the end.”
With junior pitcher Tyler Jones given the night off from his usual weekday start, freshman pitchers Samuel Peterson and Joe Broussard suffocated the McNeese State batters through the middle innings.
Peterson (1-0) was credited with the win after pitching a career-high 3.1 innings while allowing only two hits and no runs.
“As a coach, you love kids who are competitors,” Mainieri said. “He’s not the most talented pitcher on the staff, but he’s got a lot of moxie.”
Broussard followed with a flawless two-inning performance, retiring all six batters faced and throwing 15 of 18 pitches for strikes.
The shutout was LSU’s second of the season and first since a 13-0 win against New Orleans on Feb. 22. It also marked the first time this season that McNeese State has been shut out by an opponent.
Peterson entered the game in the second inning after freshman pitcher Forrest Garrett loaded the bases. Despite a rough outing against UL-Lafayette in his last appearance, he said he relished the chance to prove himself.
“I believe in myself and I believe in my teammates to get the job done,” Peterson said. “I feel good in those positions.”
The pitching staff received plenty of offensive support tonight — Katz led LSU with three RBIs.
“I love coming up in RBI situations,” Katz said. “I know [teammates] are going to be on base a lot and it’s my job to get them over.”
LSU junior pitcher Matty Ott bounced back from a series of rough outings by shutting down the Cowboys in the ninth inning to close out the game, allowing just one hit and striking out two batters.
By winning Wednesday night, LSU avoided its first back-to-back midweek losses since the 2005 season.
After being mired in a slump, LSU will take the victories any way it can get them.
“It’s a win,” Mahtook said. “It’s another ‘W’ and a good all-around game for us.”
 
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Contact Ryan Ginn at [email protected]