LSU secured a 6-2 victory over Oklahoma in the first round of the SEC Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
Three LSU pitchers limited Oklahoma to two runs on six hits. LSU improved to 30-27 on the season, while Oklahoma dropped to 32-21.
The victory marked the fifth straight year LSU won its opening game of the SEC Tournament.
Tigers’ Pitching Prowess
LSU right-handers Grant Fontenot, Gavin Guidry and Deven Sheerin allowed two runs – just one earned – on six hits with three walks and 13 strikeouts.
Gavin Guidry earned the win, limiting the Sooners to one unearned run on two hits in 3.1 innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
Deven Sheerin logged his fifth save of the season, working the final 3.1 innings and allowing no runs on just one hit with no walks and six strikeouts.
Key Moments in the Match
Centre fielder Derek Curiel gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning with an RBI single. Oklahoma tied the game in the bottom of the frame when third baseman Camden Johnson delivered a run-scoring single.
The Sooners plated an unearned run in the fourth, but LSU responded to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth as Curiel delivered an RBI double. The Tigers capitalised on a throwing error to score two more runs.
Shortstop Steven Milam blasted a two-run homer in the eighth to extend the Tigers’ advantage to 6-2. The homer was Milam’s 11th of the season and his fourth dinger in LSU’s last four games.
LSU to Face Auburn
LSU advances to face No. 6 seed Auburn at approximately 8 p.m. CT Wednesday in a game that will be broadcast on the LSU Sports Radio Network and televised on the SEC Network.
“I thought we played really good baseball tonight,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “We pitched well and we hit well; if we do that, we have a chance to win the next game we play.”