LSU Tops Southern, 8-2

After an absence that’s lasted since opening weekend due to a strained oblique, Zach Watson made his return to face Southern on Tuesday. And it’s clear the centerfielder hasn’t missed a beat.

He went 3-for-5, accounting for an RBI and two runs in LSU’s 8-2 victory over the Jags on Roger Cador night. Of course, Tigers head coach Paul Mainieri was thrilled to have one of his key players back on the field.

“Having him out there patrolling centerfield with Antoine next to him, we just felt confident when balls went up there,” he said. “We knew there was a pretty good chance of catching the ball. And I thought Zach swung the bat extremely well.”

LSU kept Southern scoreless until the top of the fifth inning, when Williams scored from third on a wild pitch. The only other run Southern would manage for the rest of the game would come when Johnson singled to centerfield in the top of the sixth, scoring Montesino.

Also in the sixth inning, the Tigers lost Nick Coomes after the senior catcher suffered a foul ball to the face mask and had to be evaluated for a possible concussion. Hunter Feduccia took his place for the remainder of the game. Very little information has been disclosed about Coomes’ injury status, but it’s safe to assume he won't be out there with the rest of the team come Wednesday.

Perhaps the most improved LSU player of the game was junior RHP Cam Sanders who had his best performance of the season Tuesday night. He allowed two runs on two hits, along with a couple of walks in 5.1 innings. He totaled eight strikeouts on the night, tying his own career high.

“It felt really good,” he said. “I knew when I first started warming up that it was going to be a good night because I was kind of just putting it wherever I wanted. I took that focus into the game and I was able to execute.”

LSU will make its way to Lafayette to face UL-L on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT.