LSU’s middle infield is more than just a double-play threat.
Freshman second baseman JaCoby Jones and junior shortstop Austin Nola combined for six hits and four RBIs in LSU’s 12-3 victory against Holy Cross Friday.
“I’m seeing the ball really well,” Jones said. “Coach [Paul Mainieri] tells me every at-bat just to get in there and compete, and I don’t like losing.”
LSU drew four straight two-out walks to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The lead didn’t last long as Holy Cross went ahead, 2-1, with a two-run home run by freshman second baseman Andrew Barry in his first college at-bat.
After Nola tied the game in the third inning with an RBI double to left field, LSU played small ball to take the lead an inning later.
Jones hit a lead-off single and junior left fielder Trey Watkins bunted him to second base. Jones then stole third base and scored on a groundout before Nola’s two-run single expanded the lead, 5-2.
“They’re not going to pitch around me,” said Nola, who hit behind junior center fielder Mikie Mahtook. “They’re going to come right after me.”
Holy Cross mustered its final run off freshman pitcher Kevin Gausman in the fifth inning on an RBI single. Gausman struck out seven and walked three in six innings.
“I’m just getting used to the atmosphere that’s here on Friday nights,” Gausman said. “It’s pretty crazy. You can get a little too amped up.”
While the Crusaders’ bats slowed down, the Tigers kept hitting.
Sophomore designaterd hitter Raph Rhymes broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning with a three-run double, giving the Tigers an 8-3 lead.
LSU scored four more in the bottom of the sixth inning on a safety squeeze by freshman catcher Ty Ross, an RBI double by Jones and a two-run home run by Watkins.
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]