LSU Takes First SEC Series, Beats Kentucky 8-6

Rejoice because LSU has won its first conference series.

After a dominating Kentucky Friday night 15-2, LSU took game two of the series despite a furious rally by the Wildcats.

LSU jumped on top of freshman Ryan Hagenow and forced Kentucky to make a change two innings into the game. Hagenow walked four and also hit designated Cade Beloso with a pitch, and was pulled after 51 pitches.

LSU would score a pair of runs in the second, third, and fourth innings and tacked on one in the fifth. And with AJ Labas cruising through six innings, a repeat of Friday night’s lopsided game seemed to be in play.

But Kentucky made a push late and got the game to within one run. Kentucky erupted for four runs in the seventh inning, chasing Labas thanks to a leadoff double and subsequent single. Ty Floyd came in for Labas and he had a rough go of things. Floyd gave up two hits and walked a pair while only recording a single out.

Floyd was pulled after 25 pitches and Devin Fontenot came on for the second night in a row. After throwing 13 pitches in Friday’s decisive win, Fontenot finished off the seventh and eighth innings and in 32 pitches struck out one, walked one, gave up a hit and allowed one earned run in the eighth.

With the game 7-6 in the Tigers favor going into the ninth, LSU scored the ever important insurance run in the final frame by way of a Jordan Thompson RBI single that scored Cade Doughty.

Working with a two-run cushion, Garrett Edwards came in to close the game and picked up his third save of the season. Edwards had an efficient 1-2-3 inning, getting a pair of fly ball outs and a grounder to second to end the game.

LSU has taken its first SEC series, now they’re aiming for a sweep on Sunday. LSU has yet to announce a starting pitcher but whoever it is will face sophomore righty Zack Lee (2-2, 4.18 ERA, 28 IP, 7 BB, 24 K). First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 and will be carried online via SEC Network+.