LSU wins weekend opener over Missouri, 7-5
Bryce Jordan had two hits, including a three-run homer, as LSU defeated Missouri 7-5 in the opening game of their Southeastern Conference series at Taylor Stadium in Columbia on Friday night.
HOW THEY SCORED
Missouri first inning – With one out, Jake Ring singled and Ryan Howard walked. Ring and Howard scored on a triple by Zach Lavy. MISSOURI 2, LSU 0
LSU second inning – Kramer Robertson and Bryce Jordan singled. Bryce Jordan was forced at second base on a ground ball to the shortstop by Chris Reid. Robertson scored on Michael Papierski’s ground out to the shortstop. MISSOURI 2, LSU 1
LSU fifth inning – Cole Freeman singled and went to second on an error by the first baseman Lavy. After Antoine Duplantis grounded out to the pitcher and Jake Fraley grounded out to the shortstop, Freeman scored on a double by Greg Deichmann. After Beau Jordan singled, Deichmann scored on a single by Robertson. Bryce Jordan hit a three-run homer over the centerfield fence. LSU 6, MISSOURI 2
Missouri sixth inning – Lavy doubled. After Trey Harris grounded out to the third baseman, Lavy scored on a single by Brett Bond. After Shane Benes struck out, Bond scored on a double by Marquise Doherty. LSU 6, MISSOURI 4
Missouri seventh inning – Kirby McGuire hit a leadoff home run over the leftfield fence. LSU 6, MISSOURI 5
LSU eighth inning – Bryce Jordan was hit by a pitch. Pinch-runner Brennan Breaux stole second base. Reid was hit by a pitch. Breaux and Reid moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Papierski. Breaux scored on a single by Freeman. LSU 7, MISSOURI 5
LSU MISSED SCORING OPPORTUNITIES
Fourth inning – Robertson was hit by a pitch and Bryce Jordan reached safely on an error by the third baseman Benes. Robertson was picked off second base by pitcher Reggie McClain. Reid grounded out to the shortstop and Papierski struck out.
Seventh inning – Fraley singled and stole second base. After Deichmann grounded out to the pitcher, Fraley advanced to third on a wild pitch by McClain. Beau Jordan struck out and Robertson flied out to the centerfielder.
Ninth inning – Fraley and Deichmann singled. Fraley was forced at third on a bunt to the pitcher by Beau Jordan. Robertson hit into a 6-4-3 double play.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Bryce Jordan had his second straight multiple-hit game. Bryce Jordan, who had a career-high three hits against Grambling on Wednesday, was 2-for-3 in the series opener at Missouri. He singled in the second and hit a three-run homer in the fifth to put LSU in front 6-2. Bryce Jordan also reached base on an error and a hit-by-pitch. The homer was his second of the season.
ABOUT THE HITTERS
Five LSU starters had multiple-hit games – Fraley (3-for-5), Bryce Jordan (2-for-3), Freeman (2-for-3), Robertson (2-for-4) and Deichmann (2-for-5). . .All but two of LSU’s 13 hits were singles. Bryce Jordan had a home run and Deichmann had a double. . .Reid (0-for-3) and Papierski (0-for-3) were the two starters without a hit. . .LSU stranded seven runners – four in scoring position. LSU was 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Duplantis was 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
ABOUT THE PITCHERS
Jared Poche wasn’t dominant, but he pitched well enough to give LSU a chance to win. Poche, who was taken out of the game after McGuire’s leadoff homer in the seventh, gave up five runs and nine hits. Poche, who picked up his fifth victory of the season, walked two and struck out five. Poche stranded a runner in scoring position in four of his six innings. He got Bond to ground out to the second baseman with a runner at third to end the first. Poche retired McGuire on a ground ball to the shortstop with a runner at second and two out in the second. He got Ian Nelson to hit into an inning-ending double play with two runners on base in the fourth. Nelson ended the sixth inning with a runner on second with a ground ball to the second baseman. . .Hunter Newman was spectacular once again as he registered a three-inning save. Newman, who retired nine of the ten batters he faced, recorded two strikeouts.
NOTES
LSU used a familiar lineup with Bryce Jordan as the designated hitter. . .Duplantis extended his hitting streak to nine games with a two-out single in the sixth. . .Fraley had his second straight three-hit game. . .McClain allowed seven runs and ten hits in seven innings. . .LSU did not commit an error. . .Lavy had three hits and drove in two runs for Missouri. . .Robertson was picked off second base and Duplantis was thrown out trying to steal second base. . .LSU is 23-11 overall, 7-6 in the SEC. LSU is tied with Ole Miss for third place in the SEC West – one game behind Mississippi State and Texas A&M. LSU has a 9-0 record against Missouri. . .The loss dropped Missouri to 20-16 overall, 4-9 in the SEC. . .The paid attendance was 1,470.
FROM THE LOCKER ROOM
Coach Paul Mainieri’s comments: “Hunter Newman did another tremendous job. He throws strikes with his breaking ball and keeps hitters honest with his fast ball. He pitches with a lot of courage and stays poised no matter the situation he’s in. Offensively, our hitters did a great job against one of the better pitchers in our league. Bryce’s three-run homer was the big blow in that five-run inning where we strung together four hits in a row and took the lead.”
UP NEXT
LSU will play Missouri at Taylor Stadium in Columbia in the second game of their series Saturday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. Central. Alex Lange (3-2) will be the starting pitcher for LSU. The LSU-Missouri game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.