Tuesday night saw a home run battle between the LSU and Lamar with the Tigers (26-12, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) notching their sixth win in their last seven games 10-4.
The teams combined for five home runs in the first four innings.
LSU went back to the bullpen for Tuesday’s matchup with reliever Caleb Gilbert drawing the start.
Gilbert’s outing began with a bang as his first pitch was sent over left field for a home run from Lamar’s Cutter McDowell.
The Tigers got the bats going in the second with an electrifying two-run shot from first baseman Nick Coomes, followed by a solo shot from third baseman Josh Smith on the next pitch.
Mainieri said the big momentum change for the Tigers were the back-to-back homers in the second.
“The big swing for us was Nick Coomes,” Mainieri said. “It got us off the ground after being down 1-0 and a rain delay and Josh [Smith] coming though right after that.”
The big inning continued with a RBI single from freshman center fielder Zach Watson which extended his hitting streak to twelve games and senior catcher Jordan Romero drove in two more to put LSU ahead 6-1 after two innings.
Coomes said his teammates were happy for him, but they were also giving him some tough love.
“It’s nice to finally get on the board in that column,” Coomes said. “Guys on the team were kind of messing with me. I’m starting to feel more comfortable at the plate.
Lamar was able to fight back with a home run in the third and a two run shot in the fourth to cut the Tiger lead to 6-4.
LSU tacked on a run in the fifth to get the lead back to three off a single from sophomore left fielder Antoine Duplantis.
Senior second baseman Cole Freeman got LSU fans on their feet with a diving play at second to end the inning and a Lamar threat.
Three runs by the Tigers in the seventh blew the game open as LSU would lead 10-4 with six outs remaining for Lamar.
LSU used a total of six pitchers on the day who combined allowed four runs on nine hits with nine strikeouts.
Up next for LSU is a SEC road trip against No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats. First pitch on Friday is expected for 5:30 p.m.
