LSU Baseball defeated Milwaukee 21-7 to complete the sweep for their opening series. In this series, the Tigers set a new school record of most strikeouts in a three-game series with a total of 49. In the final game, starter William Schmidt contributed 9 K’s.
Schmidt hit an obstacle very early in the game when he struck out the first batter he faced, then gave up a homer to the next man up. He finished the inning with 3 K’s.
The Tigers were quiet in the first inning, but that would all change very quickly.
In the second inning, Schmidt had another strong showing with 3 more K’s.
This is when the onslaught began for the LSU offense.
To start the bottom half of the second, Zach Yorke got on base after being hit by a pitch. Then Omar Serna Jr. was hit by a pitch. The two would then advance after a wild pitch.
With runners on second and third, Brayden Simpson hit a single to center field to score Yorke. Then, Trent Caraway laid down a bunt to advance Simpson and score Serna Jr..
Up next, Curiel singled to right and Simpson scored. Score is now 3-1 LSU.
In the third, Milwaukee’s Dominic Kibler would get walked, then Grant Ross would get hit by a pitch. Charlie Marion hits a single to left field and now the bases are loaded for the Panthers.
Ryan Lemm hits a single to center and both Kibler and Ross score. Score is now tied up 3-3.
When the Tigers go up to bat, they strike fast with Jake Brown hitting a home run to lead off.
LSU would then load the bases with zero outs. Serna Jr. goes up to the plate and hits a single to the left side scoring one run.
With three runners on, Caraway hit a triple to right-center clearing the bases. Next, Curiel singled to second and Caraway crossed the plate.
Score is now 9-3 LSU at the end of the third inning.
In the fourth, Schmidt would add two more K’s.
The Tigers started the inning with a groundout by Seth Dardar. In this inning ,the Tigers scored 8 runs. To end the inning, Dardar would make his second trip to the plate of the inning and blast a three-run homer to right field.
Score is now 17-3 LSU at the end of the fourth.
In the fifth inning, Mason Braun would hit a double to left field and then Curiel would reach base on a walk. Next, Milam would be hit by a pitch. Brown would come up to the plate a hit a grand slam for his second home run of the game.
Score is now 21-6 LSU after Milwaukee would get three runs of their own in the fifth.
Milwaukee would score once more in the seventh, but the game would ultimately end in a run rule.
Tigers are back in the Box on Monday, February 16 as they take on Kent State at 6 p.m. CT.
