Baseball Falls in Midweek Contest at McNeese, 5-4

LSUsports.net
Headline News



LSUsports.net (@LSUsports)LSU Sports Interactive



LAKE CHARLES, La. – McNeese State designated hitter Mitchell Rogers unloaded two home runs, and the Cowboys scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a sacrifice bunt to post a 5-4 win over sixth-ranked LSU at Joe Miller Ballpark.
The Tigers dropped to 9-4 on the season, while McNeese improved to 9-4.
LSU will play host to Wichita State this weekend in a three-game series at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT Friday, Game 2 will start at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday and Game 3 is set for 2 p.m. CT Sunday.
LSU entered the top of the ninth inning facing a 5-3 deficit, but the Tigers staged a rally against McNeese reliever Trent Fontenot. With one out, third baseman Josh Smith singled and first baseman Jake Slaughter doubled before DH Chris Reid lined an RBI single to narrow the gap to 5-4.
Fontenot, however, struck out pinch hitter Jordan Romero and retired leftfielder Beau Jordan on a grounder to short to end the game.
Fontenot (1-0) was credited with the win as he worked the final 2.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
Smith highlighted LSU’s 12-hit output on the night by going 4-for-4 at the plate with one RBI. LSU, though, left 14 runners on base.
“We certainly had our opportunities, we just didn’t take advantage of all of them,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “We’re just a play or two short from winning the game, and we could be talking about a nice victory instead of a tough loss. It’s a learning process for our team, and our players will grow from the experience.”
McNeese grabbed a 1-0 lead against LSU starter Zack Hess in the bottom of the first ...


Read more