This LSU club was always meant to be strong at pitching.
Prior to the start of Southeastern Conference play, that was untrue. The Tigers’ bullpen struggled against Florida and Vanderbilt, and they gave up 33 runs in their series with Mississippi State.
But it’s hardly shocking that LSU’s pitching staff has taken the lead as the team has fought its way back into the conversation about the NCAA tournament.
But it’s hardly shocking that LSU’s pitching staff has taken the lead as the team has fought its way back into the conversation about the NCAA tournament.
The LSU pitching staff had yet another fantastic outing on Friday against Ole Miss. Christian Little, Luke Holman, and Griffin Herring combined to give up only two runs while leading LSU to a 4-2 victory at Alex Box Stadium. On Saturday, the Tigers aim to complete the sweep.
LSU coach Jay Johnson stated, “The game seems simpler when you pitch (well).” “And Arkansas comes to mind as an example. Their position player appears to be able to unwind because they are aware that they will continue to produce zeros.
LSU (35-20, 12-17 SEC) is just one win away from tying the record for the most wins in SEC play after Friday’s outcome. With that many wins, the Tigers would have a far better chance of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
With fewer than 13 conference victories, only three SEC teams—all at-large—have advanced to an NCAA regional since 1999.
With their victory on Friday, LSU also secures a top-11 seed in the SEC tournament. Even if Ole Miss wins on Saturday to match LSU’s conference record, the Tigers still have the tiebreaker against the Rebels thanks to their series victory over Ole Miss.
“We’ve been able to pull ourselves out of this to where (we) still have a great chance of playing in the NCAA tournament,” Johnson stated.
With just one hit allowed in five innings, Holman was almost unhittable. He allowed just one run through six and a half innings, giving up a double and a home run in the sixth.
“I was able to mix really well, pitches were working wherever I wanted to throw them,” Holman stated. “It helps a lot when my slider is there.”
“I was able to mix really well, pitches were working wherever I wanted to throw them,” Holman stated. “It helps a lot when my slider is there.”
With two outs and two runners on base, Little came in to replace him and finished the seventh inning with a strikeout. Then, to begin the eighth, he let a walk and a single before Herring took his position.
To get out of the jam in the eighth, Herring got two strikeouts and a grounder back to himself. In the ninth, he finished the game with two fly outs and a groundout.
After that last out, LSU has a 1.50 ERA against the Rebels (27-27, 11-18) going into Saturday’s series finale.
The series finale between LSU and Ole Miss will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. SEC Network+ will provide a live broadcast of the game.
