In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the LSU baseball team showcased a remarkable performance on Saturday night, defeating Dallas Baptist University (DBU) 12-0 in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional. The pivotal game, held at Alex Box Stadium, marked a significant win for LSU and moved them forward to the regional championship round.
Sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson was the ace of the game, delivering an impressive 7.0 scoreless innings. Anderson’s performance was not just good; it was extraordinary. He struck out 11 DBU batters, allowing only four hits and walking two, showcasing his dominance on the mound. With this performance, Anderson moved to 9-1 for the season, bringing his total strikeouts to 156, which places him sixth on LSU’s single-season strikeouts list alongside notable alumni like Russ Springer and Eddie Yarnall.
LSU’s offense was equally impressive. Centerfielder Chris Stanfield led the charge, going 3-for-4 at the plate, including his first home run of the season and contributing three RBIs. The Tigers amassed a total of 10 hits throughout the game. Coach Jay Johnson praised the team’s overall effort, stating, “It was a good night for our team… Kade, as he has been all year, was the best pitcher on the planet.”
The game quickly established LSU’s dominance. The Tigers took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when designated hitter Ethan Frey hit a two-run single. Stanfield would go on to extend that lead to 3-0 with a solo home run in the second inning. Johnson remarked on the importance of their offensive strategy, noting the team’s resilience even with two outs and no one on base.
“Offensively, I thought we did a lot of things well… a really good at-bat by Chris,” Johnson said, recognizing the team’s effective approach at the plate. Stanfield also elaborated on his strategy, emphasizing the focus on using the whole field: “I was really just trusting it, letting the ball get deep.” His ability to execute this plan resulted in a home run that energized the team and the crowd.
Throughout the game, the Tigers continued to build on their lead. They scored three additional runs in the third inning following a sacrifice from catcher Luis Hernandez, who helped bring home another run during the play. Furthermore, Stanfield and leftfielder Derek Curiel contributed with RBI singles, pushing the score to 6-0. LSU’s defensive excellence also played a role; the team committed no errors, marking another game without mistakes on the field.
The fifth inning saw Stanfield extend the lead even further with an RBI groundout, while in the sixth, Hernandez’s RBI single, coupled with shortstop Steven Milam’s daring steal of home, bolstered LSU’s dominance at 9-0.
In the eighth inning, the Tigers displayed their relentless pursuit of runs, adding three more to the scoreboard. Frey executed a triumphant triple and capitalized when DBU’s centerfielder Nathan Humphreys bobbled the ball, allowing Frey to score. Pinch hitter Ashton Larson’s sacrifice fly and a wild pitch scoring another pinch hitter, Cade Arrambide, rounded out the 12-run tally for LSU.
This impressive victory not only showcases LSU’s skills on the diamond but also lifts them into the regional championship game, set for Sunday at 8 p.m. CT against Little Rock, who advanced following an elimination game victory over DBU. Since LSU previously defeated Little Rock 7-0 earlier in the regional, they are positioned strongly going into the championship match.
Fans can catch the game broadcast live on ESPNU and the LSU Sports Radio Network. With this recent performance, LSU has managed to secure back-to-back shutouts in NCAA Tournament games for just the second time in program history, a testament to their focused training and teamwork.
Coach Johnson’s enthusiastic words sum up the atmosphere perfectly: “It was a good night for our team.” The comprehensive victory not only boosts team morale but also raises expectations as they head toward the championship round. The fans and players alike are buzzing with anticipation as LSU heads into what promises to be an exhilarating matchup.
LSU continues to foster a proud baseball tradition, and with young talent like Anderson and impactful players like Stanfield, the future looks promising for the team. As they prepare for Little Rock, the focus will remain on executing their game plan and maintaining the intensity that has brought them success thus far. Collectively, this team is positioning themselves not just for a tournament win, but for a memorable postseason run.
In summary, LSU’s 12-0 win against Dallas Baptist not only reflects their current form but serves as a reminder of their baseball legacy. As they gear up for the regional championship, all eyes will be on the Tigers to see if they can sustain this high level of performance. The excitement surrounding the LSU baseball program continues to build, offering a thrilling blend of hard work, talent, and passion for the game.
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