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TIGERS RECORD 5-3, 10-INNING WIN OVER ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –
Rightfielder Sean McMullen delivered a sacrifice fly in the top of the
10th inning for the go-ahead run as top-ranked LSU recorded a 5-3
victory over No. 10 Arkansas at Baum Stadium.
LSU
improved to 34-3 overall and 13-2 in the SEC as the Tigers won two of
three games over the Razorbacks, marking their eighth series victory
over Arkansas over the past nine seasons. Arkansas is now 25-12 overall
and 9-6 in conference play.
LSU is one game behind
Vanderbilt (14-1) in the overall SEC race, and the Tigers hold a
four-game lead over Arkansas in the Western Division standings.
LSU plays host to Grambling State at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Alex Box Stadium.
“This
victory demonstrates the tremenous resiliency of our players,” said LSU
coach Paul Maineri. “We had a tough game yesterday, but our guys came
back to the ball park today ready to play. Arkansas has an excellent
team and one of the most impressive pitching staffs I’ve seen in all of
my years in coaching. We faced a tremendous challenge against a Top 10
team in a very intense environment, but our players remained composed
and won a great ball game.”
With the game tied 3-3
entering the top of the 10th inning, LSU catcher Ty Ross led off with a
double to right-center field against Arkansas reliever Chris Oliver.
Designated hitter Chris Sciambra delivered a sacrifice bunt against
reliever Jalen Beeks, moving pinch runner Jared Foster to third base.
McMullen then lifted a fly ball to deep right-center field, allowing Foster to score the go-ahead run.
The
Tigers kept the rally going as centerfielder Mark Laird reached on a
infield single, moved to second on shortstop Alex Bregman’s single, and
scored on leftfielder Raph Rhymes sharp single to center field.
Reliever
Chris Cotton (2-0) earned the win for LSU, as he worked two scoreless
innings, including the bottom of the 10th. Cotton retired second
baseman Jordan Farris on a grounder to third before shortstop Brett
McAfee reached on a bunt single.
Cotton, however,
struck out pinch hitter Issac Hellbusch, and he ended the game when
pinch hitter Jean Ramirez popped out to second base.
Oliver (2-1) was charged with the loss as he surrendered one run on one hit in 1.2 innings with no walks and one strikeout.
Arkansas grabbed an 1-0 in the first inning on an RBI single by rightfielder Tyler Spoon.
LSU
struck for three runs in the third as centerfielder Mark Laird provided
an fielder’s choice grounder for an RBI and shortstop Alex Bregman
launched a two-run homer, his fourth dinger of the season.
Arkansas
narrowed the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the third when second
baseman Jordan Farris belted a solo homer, his second of the season.
The
Razorbacks tied the game in the fourth on Farris’ RBI single against
LSU reliever Nick Rumbelow. The run was charged to starter Cody Glenn,
who worked the first 3.1 innings of the contest.
LSU’s
relief corps of Cotton, Rumbelow, Brent Bonvillain and Joey Bourgeois
combined to blank Arkansas over the final 6.2 innings of the game,
allowing just two hits in that span.
LSU 5, Arkansas 3 (Apr 14, 2013 at Fayetteville, Ark.)
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LSU.................... 003 000 000 2 - 5 8 0 (34-3, 13-2 SEC)
Arkansas............ 101 100 000 0 - 3 7 1 (25-12, 9-6 SEC)
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Pitchers: LSU - Cody Glenn; Nick Rumbelow(4); Brent Bonvillain(5); Joey Bourgeois(6); Chris Cotton(9) and Ty Ross; Chris Chinea.
Arkansas - Randall Fant; Brandon Moore(3); Trent Daniel(7); Chris Oliver(8); Jalen Beeks(10); Colby Suggs(10) and Jake Wise.
Win-Chris Cotton(2-0) Loss-Chris Oliver(2-1) T-2:44 A-10180
HR LSU - Alex Bregman (4).
HR AR - Jordan Farris (2).
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