FORSYTHE’S TWO HOME RUNS LIFT VOLS OVER HILLTOPPERS 14-8
Tennessee catcher Blake Forsythe went 2-for-3 with three runs, two RBIs and two home runs to lead the Vols over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 14-8 on Tuesday afternoon at Robert M. Lindsay Field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols have won five straight games and a 7-5 record on the season.
Forsythe is now batting .415 on the season with eight home runs and 20 RBI.
Right-hander Ty’Relle Harris (1-1, 2.25 ERA) pitched 3-2/3 scoreless innings in relief. The senior allowed three hits, walked one and struck out four. Freshmen Will Locante and Matt Ramsey each pitched one shutout inning to close out the game for UT.
Scoring in the game went back and forth till the bottom of the fourth when the Vols took the lead for good.
Down 8-5 heading into the inning, the Volunteers scored four runs. Left fielder P.J. Polk drove in his first run of the game with an RBI single to left field, which scored second baseman Cody Grisham, who reached on an error to lead off the inning. Center fielder Kentrail Davis then drove in his seventh run of the season on a triple down the right field line. Davis then scored on a balk by WKU pitcher Garrie Krueger. Forsythe then hit a solo home run, his second of the game, to give Tennessee a 9-8 lead.
From the fifth inning on, the Tennessee pitching staff quieted the Western Kentucky offense, shutting it out on only two hits. UT broke the game open with five runs in the fifth to take a 14-8 lead. The Vols scored the runs on three hits including a solo home run by designated hitter Charley Thurber and a three-run home run by first baseman Cody Hawn.
Western Kentucky took the early 3-0 in the top of the first inning. After the first two batters of the game reached base on singles, third basemen Wade Gaynor drove two runs in with his second triple of the year, down the right field line. Catcher Matt Rice then grounded out the second, scoring Gaynor from third.
Tennessee responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to make the score 3-2. Right fielder Josh Liles led off the game with his second home run of the season. The Vols added a second run when Hawn singled to drive in Polk, who previously reached base on a single.
WKU added another run in the top of the second to extend its lead to 4-2. After reaching base on a walk, first baseman Jake Wells, advanced to second on a groundout and then scored on an error.
The Hilltoppers scored again in the top of third inning. A sacrifice fly to right field off the bat of catcher Matt Rice drove in Gaynor, giving them a 5-2 lead.
The Vols tied the game at 5-5 with three runs in the bottom of the third. Forsythe hit his seventh home run of the season followed by back-to-back doubles by Hawn and Cody Brown, scoring Hawn. Then shortstop Zach Osborne drove in Brown with a sacrifice fly to left.
Western Kentucky added three more runs in the fourth to take an 8-5 lead. After loading the bases on a walk and two hit batters, Second baseman Matt Payton drove in one run with a sacrifice fly to center, which Gaynor followed with a two-RBI double down the left field line.
Tennessee starting pitcher Adam Adkins allowed five runs on five hits through 2-1/3 innings. The freshman struck out two and walked one. Senior Ryne Simpson gave up three hits on no hits in one inning of work.
Krueger (4-1, 8.70 ERA) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning. J.B. Paxson pitched three innings, giving up five runs on six hits in his first start of the year for the Hilltoppers. Four other WKU pitchers saw action out of the bullpen.
The Vols return to the diamond Wednesday afternoon when they host Louisville at 4 p.m.
Jones’ Two-Out RBI In Ninth Leads Auburn To 8-7 Win Over Alabama In Max Capital City Classic
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Ben Jones two-out, RBI double to left scored Trent Mummey from second to send Auburn to a 9-8, comeback win over Alabama on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium in the inaugural Max Capital City Classic. Jones finished the game 3-for-5 and was named the MVP of the Classic as Auburn claimed its eighth straight win this season.
“Some guys really stepped up for us. Ben Jones had a huge game and came up with a huge hit, as did Trent Mummey,” Auburn Head Coach John Pawlowski said. “It’s great to see a senior step up. Ben has waited for his opportunity to play everyday and he certainly has taken advantage of it. He has had some huge at bats for us, none other than this big one here tonight.”
With Auburn down 7-6 after Alabama’s four-run eighth off of the Auburn bullpen, shortstop Casey McElroy laced a triple to center for his first hit of the game. A sacrifice fly to left by Justin Hargett tied the game up at 7-7 before Trent Mummey doubled down the right field line to put a runner in scoring position with one down. After Alabama closer Jimmy Nelson fanned Joseph Sanders, Jones ripped his shot to left to put Auburn up a run going to the bottom of the ninth, setting the stage for freshman reliever Zack Blatt, who had made just two appearances prior to Tuesday night’s game.
“I was just trying to stay back. I was out in front all night and I got a good pitch to hit and fortunately, I was able to square it up,” Jones said of his ninth-inning at bat. “To come back like that, late in the game with this kind of atmosphere is great. To know we can always come back when we are down is a good feeling.”
Blatt (1-0), who had entered in the eighth with a runner on, none out and four runs already across the board in the frame, sat down all six hitters he faced, stranding Tyler Odle at third in the eighth and then putting the heart of the Alabama down 1-2-3 in the ninth to pick up his first career win.
“Zack Blatt came out of the bullpen, faced six guys and did a tremendous job and we really needed that. I thought it was a great game from both sides,” Pawlowski said.
“I went out there and did what I could and went after them,” Blatt said. “The first inning I was nervous but after we got the lead back the nerves went away. I was pumped up and my heart was racing but I knew with the defense behind me, after I got the lead I couldn’t let them down.”
Alabama (8-4) closer Jimmy Nelson (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing a pair of earned runs in the ninth, the first time this season he has allowed any runs in eight appearances.
Auburn (10-4) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first on Brian Fletcher’s bases-loaded double off the top of the padding in left-center, just above the 395 marking on the wall. Mummey and Sanders had drawn back-to-back walks off of Alabama starter David Head, who needed 38 pitches to get out of the inning, to start the Auburn offense. A Jones single to right loaded the bases, setting the stage for Fletcher’s 10th RBI in his last five games.
Mummey’s solo home run with two outs in the second extended Auburn’s lead to 4-0 off of Head. The homer was the seventh of the season for the leadoff hitter, tying him with Sanders for the team lead, and was the 30th of the season for the Tigers, second-best in the nation. It also extended Mummey’s hitting streak to a team- and personal-best 13 games.
Alabama’s Kent Matthes, the national leader in home runs coming into the game, added to his total with a three run job to center off of Auburn starter Paul Burnside in the third to give him 10 on the season. All three runs in the inning were unearned as Alex Kubel had reached on an error to lead off the inning and Josh Rutledge was hit by a pitch before Burnside was able to fan Brandon May and get Clay Jones to fly out to left.
Auburn extended its lead back out to three in the top of the fourth on a passed ball and a suicide squeeze to take a 6-3 lead. Kevin Patterson led off the inning with a walk, knocking Head from the game after three-plus innings. Austin Graham then allowed a single to the first hitter he faced in Tony Caldwell, putting runners on first and second. A balk by Graham moved the runners up a base and then a passed ball on Alabama catcher Kyle Moore allowed Patterson to score and Caldwell to get to third. Justin Hargett then laid down a perfect bunt with Caldwell racing to the plate from third for the RBI and the three-run lead.
Burnside was able to work into the fifth before leaving with runners on first and second and one down, leaving Michael Hurst to clean up for him. Hurst was able to get Ross Wilson to fly out to center before hitting Vin DiFazio to load the bases. With no where to put Taylor Dugas and two out, Hurst coaxed a soft liner to short out of Dugas, ending the Alabama threat.
Two more scoreless innings out of Hurst followed before he allowed a single to Ross Wilson and a RBI double to Vin DiFazio to lead off the eighth. Taylor Thompson was then summoned from the bullpen and promptly allowed a double to Dugas and a Jake Smith home run to center before he walked Odle, bringing Blatt into the game.
Mummey finished the game with three runs scored, bringing his season total to a national-best of 29.
Auburn is on its first eight-game winning streak since Feb. 16-27, 2007, picked up its first win over Alabama on a neutral site for the first time since winning 10-8 in Huntsville in 1995.
The comeback win was the third straight for Auburn.
The game drew 7,518 fans, the second largest crowd in Riverwalk Stadium history.
Auburn returns home for its game with Western Kentucky on Wednesday night at 6pm CT. Wednesday night is Youth Night and kids 17-and-under get in free with a cap and glove.
ALEX MEYER TOSSES SIX HITLESS IN SECOND-CAREER START
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- In his second career start, freshman right hander Alex Meyer tossed six hitless innings with six strikeouts, leading No. 27 Kentucky to a 12-5 pounding of Georgetown (Ky.) College, on a gorgeous Tuesday evening at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky (10-2) pounded out a season-high 20 hits against the Tigers, while picking up its eighth consecutive win and its school-record 28th straight home, non-conference win. UK has not lost a home non-conference game since the 2007 season.
Meyer, a 6-foot-8, 205-pounder, got his second career start and turned in a dominating performance, striking out a career-high tying six, while showing improved command with only one walk issued. The 2008 Aflac High School All-American, tossed first-pitch strikes to 11 of the 19 batters he faced, hurling an economical 71 pitches in his six frames. Labeled as the second-best freshman in all of college baseball and the top freshman in the Southeastern Conference in 2009 by Baseball America, Meyer was unhittable, retiring the first 14 hitters he faced, with a streak of three straight strikeouts – spanning the first and second innings. On the year, the Greensburg, Ind., native has posted a save, a 1-0 record and a 4.96 ERA, striking out 16 in 16.1 innings.
“I was real pleased that Alex got in the strike zone,” UK head coach Gary Henderson said. “He did a much better job of throwing strikes then he did last time out and we are real encouraged about that. We look for him to just keep getting better. He is improving each start and he is just going to keep getting better. As he gets more comfortable, gets more confidence and gets more control of his body, he is going to throw more strikes and he is going to have more success as he goes along.”
Kentucky returns to action Wednesday, facing the preseason pick to win the Big Ten, Indiana, at 4 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Fans can listen to the game live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio), with the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price calling the action. In Lexington, fans can hear the game live on WGVN 1580-AM.
Kentucky received great offensive production, getting multi-hit nights from sophomores Chris Bisson and Neiko Johnson and freshmen Braden Kaptyen, Chad Wright, Cory Farris and Andy Burns. Farris had the most prolific game, charting a career-best 4-for-5 day. Bisson, who leads the team in batting with a .435 average, paced the Wildcats with three hits, three RBI and two runs scored. Johnson also gathered three hits for Kentucky including his first double of the season. The native of Stone Mountain, Ga., picked up a career-high two RBI on the day, while also scoring a run. Burns also grabbed three RBI for the Wildcats, a career-high. Burns, a native of Fort Collins, Colo., ended the night with three hits and three runs scored, including a solo homer in the second inning, his second of the year. Wright, who got the start in center field for an injured Keenan Wiley, got three hits on the night and scored a run. Kapteyn, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound freshman corner infielder, continued his hot-hitting, grabbing two singles in the game.
Kentucky totaled a season-high 20 hits in the game, getting a hit from eight out of the 12 batters that came to the plate, with UK improving its team batting average on the season to .340 and a .425 on-base percentage. Along with Burns solo shot, sophomore shortstop Chris Wade hit a two-run homer to get UK’s first runs of the game. Wade, who hit a game-winning grand slam Sunday, hit a bomb over the left-field wall in his first official at bat of the game after walking his first time up. Wade, a Louisville Slugger freshman All-American in 2008, is now tied for the team lead in home runs with two, along with Marcus Nidiffer, Burns and Troy Fraizer.
UK got on the board first in the game when the Wildcats posted four runs on four hits in the second innings. The inning started with a lead-off single by Chad Wright who advanced to second on a stolen base and finally to third on a groundout by Farris. After a Wade walk, Wright came home to score when Kevin Rueff balked, which also moved Wade to second. Burns then singled up the middle to score Wade, advancing to second on an error by the center fielder. Burns, playing third in place of injured Chris McClendon, scored when Bisson hit a rope single up the middle, advancing to second the throw home. Kentucky plated their final run of the inning when sophomore Johnson singled to right field, gathering his second RBI of the season.
The Wildcats posted three more runs in the fourth inning lead by back-to-back homers by Wade and Burns. Wade’s bomb was a two-run shot hit to left center field. Farris started the inning on a single through the right side and later scored when Wade got the ball just over the left center field in front of the scoreboard. On the next pitch, Burns sent a shot deep to left field. It was Burns second home run of his career, giving Kentucky a seven-run lead.
Kentucky scored five runs in the fifth inning on five hits. The inning started with a one-out single by Farris through the right side, later advancing to second when Wade was hit by a pitch. Burns then picked up his third RBI of the game with a single to the left side, scoring Wright. With two on and one out, Bisson improved his batting average with a double down the left field line, scoring Wade. The next batter was Johnson, who hit a laser shot to deep center field over the center fielders head, scoring Bisson from second. Johnson moved to third on a single by Kapteyn to the left side, later scoring on an error by the pitcher after a ball thrown back from catcher got away and rolled to second base. The inning ended when Nidiffer flied out to left field with Kentucky up 12 runs.
The Tigers got on the board in the eighth inning when senior Jonathan Huff gave up a RBI single up the middle to Colin Wilkerson. The inning started with a one out singles by Chase Armstrong and Mike Steinke. After a foul out by Jake Mahan for the second out, Wilkerson sent a grounder up the middle scoring Armstrong and giving Georgetown their first run of the game.
Georgetown added four more runs in the ninth inning – all unearned – getting an RBI single by Eric Severson, a two-run single by Steinke and scoring one run on a Huff wild pitch.
VANDERBILT POUNDS LIPSCOMB 22-4
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Vanderbilt broke open a 5-3 game through the first five innings with 17 runs through the final four innings in a 22-4 win over Lipscomb Tuesday afternoon at Ken Dugan Field.
The Commodores claimed both games of the season series against the Bisons (5-7) and improved to 10-4 on the year.
The 22 runs scored was the most by a Vanderbilt team under head coach Tim Corbin and the most since scoring 22 at home against Yale in 2000.
“It took a while for those runs to come by,” said Corbin. “We were walking but we weren’t bringing them in until Westlake’s (Aaron) double in the sixth. It was also good to see guys come off the bench and do a good job offensively when given the chance.”
Curt Casali went 3-for-3 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in leading the 19-hit attack. The late inning barrage allowed the Commodores to use several reserves with the highlight being Drew Fann delivering a pinch-hit grand slam homer in the eighth inning. Fann belted the first collegiate pitch he saw over the wall in left-center plating four of the six runs in the inning.
“I have never done anything like that at any level,” said Fann after the game. “This is the best team I have ever been a part of. We get along well and hang out together on and off the field. It’s been fun to be a part of it.”
Several Commodores got in on the action offensively as Aaron Westlake, Gabe Ortiz, Alex McClure and Jordan Wormsley recorded two hits apiece. Ortiz, McClure and Wormsley each achieved the mark coming off the bench.
Steven Liddle recorded two RBI without the virtue of a hit through his first five at-bats before belting a two-run homer, his first collegiate round-tripper, in the ninth inning.
Grayson Garvin made his first collegiate start on the mound and gave up three runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of work with five strikeouts and two walks. Drew Hayes came on in relief of a 5-3 game and stabilized it on the mound holding the Bison hitless in 3.2 innings of scoreless work with five strikeouts and two walks. Richie Goodenow pitched a scoreless eighth and Mark Lamm closed it out in the ninth, allowing a solo homer with two strikeouts.
“Drew Hayes was a key factor in the game,” added Corbin. “He came in and shut it down so we could regroup offensively. I think early on this season he was trying to overthrow and impress and I think now he is going out there and pitching. His last three outings have been good and we need for him to continue to do that for us to be a good ballclub.”
Lipscomb plated two runs in the first inning on a RBI double by Justin Sanders and a RBI single by Branden Cadavid.
The Commodores took advantage of Lipscomb starter Jerry Young’s wildness in the second, scoring three runs via a bases loaded hit by pitch of Alex Hilliard and a bases loaded walk to Brian Harris and Curt Casali.
The Bison scored a run in the second on a RBI grounder and then the Commodores responded with a run in the third on a RBI double by Jonathan White and another run in the fourth on a RBI groundout by Steven Liddle.
VU broke open the game with five runs in the sixth, with the key hits a two-run double by Westlake and a three-run double by Joe Loftus. They added three runs in the seventh with Curt Casali hitting a solo homer, his fifth of the year. Alex McClure added a RBI single in the frame.
The Commodores sent 10 men to the plate in the eighth, capped off with Fann’s grand slam to center.
“That is not easy for someone to do after catching in the bullpen for eight innings,” said Corbin. “I was happy for Drew, he deserves it.”
VU will open up Southeastern Conference play this weekend as Ole Miss comes to town for a three-game set. The Commodores and Rebels will start up at 6 p.m. on Friday and will then play at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
No. 1 Georgia Downs Le Moyne, 13-5, For 13th Straight Win
ATHENS -- Top-ranked Georgia scored 10 runs in the first four innings and cruised to a 13-5 win over Le Moyne Wednesday at Foley Field.
The Bulldogs managed nine hits and took advantage of three Le Moyne errors to win their 13th straight game and tie the longest winning streak in the David Perno era.
Freshman Cecil Tanner (2-0) worked 4.0 innings and allowed two runs, both unearned, on three hits to pick up the win. Levi Hyams led Georgia with two hits and scored twice while Rich Poythress scored three runs.
“I’m proud of our guys for the way we fought tonight,” Perno said. “We were just feeling our way around and had to scratch and claw. It was a good test for our guys and it will be another good test tomorrow.”
Georgia scored three runs in the bottom of the first without recording a hit. Johnathan Taylor reached after being hit by a pitch, then Colby May reached on a fielding error two batters later. Poythress and Bryce Massanari drew back-to-back walks for Georgia’s first run, then a wild pitch and another Le Moyne error led to two more runs.
The Bulldogs added a run in the second as Michael Demperio walked for the 14th time this season, stole second and eventually scored on a single by Taylor. The Dolphins (2-7) took advantage of a Georgia miscue in the third and scored two unearned runs to make it 4-2.
Massanari and Poythress again drew back-to-back one out walks in the bottom of the third, then both scored on Lyle Allen’s double to left-center to give the Bulldogs a four run lead again. Allen came around to score on the Dolphins’ third error of the game to stretch the lead to five runs.
Levi Hyams led off the fourth inning with an infield single, Matt Cerione singled two batters later, and Rich Poythress blasted a three-run home run to center field to give Georgia a 10-2 lead.
Le Moyne cut the lead to 10-5 with three runs in the sixth, but Will Harvil came out of Georgia’s bullpen and held the Dolphins scoreless over the next two innings.
The Bulldogs scored three runs in the eighth on an RBI single by Zach Cone and a two-run double by May before Dean Weaver closed out the game in the ninth.
Brandon Otto (0-1) allowed six runs in 2.2 innings on one hit to take the loss for the Dolphins.
Georgia and Le Moyne will play the second game of the series Wednesday at 5 p.m. Fans can purchase single game tickets online via www.georgiadogs.com or by calling 1-877-542-1231. Reserved seats are $8, general admission seats are $5 and admission is free for Georgia students with a valid UGA ID. All remaining tickets will go on sale beginning two hours before first pitch of each game at the Foley Field ticket windows.
GAMECOCKS EARN 13-3 WIN OVER OLD DOMINION
Columbia, S.C. - South Carolina exploded for nine runs in the first three innings with home runs from Nick Ebert, Justin Dalles and Andrew Crisp as the 17th ranked Gamecocks earned a 13-3 win over Old Dominion on Tuesday night at Carolina Stadium. The win improves Carolina to 10-1 on the year while the loss drops ODU to 3-9 for the season. South Carolina concludes its homestand on Wednesday night vs. Wofford with first pitch at 7 p.m.
After allowing three runs in the top of the first inning, South Carolina scored 13 unanswered runs on its way to the victory. Carolina had 10 hits on the afternoon with DeAngelo Mack going 3-for-6 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored. Dalles and Crisp also were 2-for-4. Ebert reached base four times, with the home run and three walks. Old Dominion's leading hitters were Donnie Corsner and Brett Harris who went 2-for-4 apiece for the Monarchs.
The Gamecocks spotted ODU a 3-0 lead before getting a chance to bat but that lead would not last as South Carolina sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning. Whit Merrifield walked to open the frame, DeAngelo Mack singled and Nick Ebert launched a three-run homer to right center tying the game at 3-3. The Gamecocks then went back-to-back as Justin Dalles knocked his third homer of the year to give USC a 4-3 lead. Carolina would add a RBI from Bobby Haney to go ahead 5-3 followed by Merrifield's second at-bat of the inning, in which he hit a sacrifice fly to score Andrew Crisp. Carolina then finished the scoring for the inning with Mack's second hit of the inning a RBI base hit to plate home Haney giving Carolina the 7-3 lead.
South Carolina added single runs in both the second and third innings to increase the lead to 9-3. Crisp hit a solo home run in the second for his second round tripper of the year. Mack tallied his third hit of the game with a RBI base hit giving the Gamecocks a six-run edge.
Carolina batted around for the second time of the game in the fifth inning scoring four times to push the advantage to 13-3. Dalles had a two-run double followed by a pinch-hit RBI double off the bat of Jeffery Jones. Scott Wingo also would drive in a run on a bases loaded walk that Carolina the 10-run cushion.
Carolina freshman left-hander Adam Westmoreland pitched four innings in a predetermined split. He allowed three runs on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. He earned the win and is now 2-0 on the year. Freshman right-hander Matt Price pitched three scoreless innings allowing just three hits and freshman left-hander Brandon Miller closed the game out with two scoreless innings of relief as well to seal a Gamecock win. Old Dominion starter Cory Toth lasted only 2.1 innings and suffered the loss. He is 1-3 on the year. He allowed nine runs, seven earned, on seven hits with five walks and one strikeout.
Live video broadcast for Wednesday's game vs. Wofford will be available at GamecocksOnline.com. Fans can also hear the game on the Gamecock Radio Network including flagship station 107.5 FM "The Game."
Razorbacks Fall in First Road Test
SHREVEPORT, La. – Senior Ben Tschepikow was perfect at the plate and drove in all three Arkansas runs, but despite his best efforts, the Arkansas baseball team fell to Centenary in Shreveport, La., on Tuesday night, 8-3.
The Razorbacks (9-3) committed four errors in the game in the opening three innings to fall behind quickly to Centenary (6-3) by a 4-0 tilt by the top of the fourth. The Hogs would scratch out a run in that inning when Scott Lyons led off with a single, one of two on the night for the senior from West Covina, Calif. Lyons would move to second on a passed ball and score on a Tschepikow single up the middle.
The Razorbacks would make it a one-run game in the top of the sixth on Tschepikow’s fourth home run of the year, a towering shot over the right-field wall which again brought Lyons around to score.
Centenary would add a fifth run in the bottom of the sixth and open up a sizeable lead in the bottom of the seventh when they tacked on three against the Razorback bullpen.
Arkansas’ struggles in the field started in the first when a steal attempt by the Gents forced an errant throw by catcher Ryan Cisterna allowing the runner to advance to third. A catcher’s interference call on the next batter accounted for another error as the Gents tallied two runs on three hits and two errors in the first.
An error in each of the next two innings by the Razorbacks led to single runs for the Gents and gave Centenary the margin of victory they needed.
Tschepikow would match a season high with three hits in the game including a walk to continue his hot streak at the plate and improve his season batting average to .385. Along with Tschepikow, Lyons collected two hits while Jarrod McKinney and Jacob House each had one to account for the Razorbacks’ seven hits.
The Razorbacks and Gents are scheduled to conclude their series on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. For more information regarding Razorback baseball or University of Arkansas athletics please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
LSU EARNS ROAD WIN AT SLU, 16-5
HAMMOND, La. – Freshman left-hander Chris Matulis won his third game in three starts Tuesday night and third-ranked LSU broke open a close game with a six-run fourth inning as the Tigers defeated Southeastern Louisiana, 16-5 at Alumni Field.
The victory was LSU’s eighth straight in Hammond, a streak that began in 1990.
LSU, which improved to 11-2 on the year, plays host to Louisiana-Lafayette (5-7-1) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Alex Box Stadium. The game can be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network (98.1 FM in Baton Rouge). Live stats, audio and video are available in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net.
Southeastern, which plays host to McNeese State this weekend in a Southland Conference series, fell to 7-6 with Tuesday’s loss.
LSU earned the win Tuesday after dropping two of three games last weekend to Illinois. The Tigers open SEC play this weekend versus Kentucky.
“We certainly needed to get back on track tonight after a tough weekend, and I was pleased with the way our players responded,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “We took advantage of the opportunities Southeastern gave us with clutch hitting, something we’ve struggled with a times this season. We need to continue to improve because we have many challenges ahead this week.”
LSU trailed 2-1 in the top of the fourth when the Tigers took advantage of five SLU walks and an error to score six runs. The Tigers posted just two hits in the inning, an RBI single by third baseman Tyler Hanover and a three-run single by second baseman Ryan Schimpf.
LSU expanded its lead to 9-2 in the fifth as rightfielder Derek Helenihi contributed an RBI single and catcher Micah Gibbs scored when SLU shortstop TY Summerlin misplayed Hanover’s grounder.
The Tigers added four runs in the sixth on three homers. Centerfielder Leon Landry led off the inning with his eighth homer of the season before first baseman/catcher Sean Ochinko launched a two-run blast, his fifth of the year.
Leftfielder Jared Mitchell capped the inning with a solo shot, his third dinger of the season.
Helenihi and Schimpf each finished the night with three RBI while Ochinko drove in two runs and scored four times.
Matulis (3-0) limited the Lions to two earned runs on seven hits in six innings with three walks and three strikeouts, firing 90 pitches during his outing.
“I thought Chris gave us another strong effort,” Mainieri said. “We needed for him to give us at least six innings, and he gave us a very good outing. He is definitely a candidate to move into our weekend starting rotation.
SLU starter Shawn Herring (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing four runs – two earned – on one hit in 3.1 innings with four walks and one strikeout.
Jones' Two-Out RBI In Ninth Leads Auburn To 8-7 Win Over Alabama In Max Capital City Classic
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Ben Jones two-out, RBI double to left scored Trent Mummey from second to send Auburn to a 9-8, comeback win over Alabama on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium in the inaugural Max Capital City Classic. Jones finished the game 3-for-5 and was named the MVP of the Classic as Auburn claimed its eighth straight win this season.
"Some guys really stepped up for us. Ben Jones had a huge game and came up with a huge hit, as did Trent Mummey," Auburn Head Coach John Pawlowski said. "It's great to see a senior step up. Ben has waited for his opportunity to play everyday and he certainly has taken advantage of it. He has had some huge at bats for us, none other than this big one here tonight."
With Auburn down 7-6 after Alabama's four-run eighth off of the Auburn bullpen, shortstop Casey McElroy laced a triple to center for his first hit of the game. A sacrifice fly to left by Justin Hargett tied the game up at 7-7 before Trent Mummey doubled down the right field line to put a runner in scoring position with one down. After Alabama closer Jimmy Nelson fanned Joseph Sanders, Jones ripped his shot to left to put Auburn up a run going to the bottom of the ninth, setting the stage for freshman reliever Zach Blatt, who had made just two appearances prior to Tuesday night's game.
"I was just trying to stay back. I was out in front all night and I got a good pitch to hit and fortunately, I was able to square it up," Jones said of his ninth-inning at bat. "To come back like that, late in the game with this kind of atmosphere is great. To know we can always come back when we are down is a good feeling."
"Zack Blatt came out of the bullpen, faced six guys and did a tremendous job and we really needed that. I thought it was a great game from both sides," Pawlowski said.
"I went out there and did what I could and went after them," Blatt said. "The first inning I was nervous but after we got the lead back the nerves went away. I was pumped up and my heart was racing but I knew with the defense behind me, after I got the lead I couldn't let them down."
Auburn (10-4) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first on Brian Fletcher's bases-loaded double off the top of the padding in left-center, just above the 395 marking on the wall. Mummey and Sanders had drawn back-to-back walks off of Alabama starter David Head, who needed 38 pitches to get out of the inning, to start the Auburn offense. A Jones single to right loaded the bases, setting the stage for Fletcher's 10th RBI in his last five games.
Mummey's solo home run with two outs in the second extended Auburn's lead to 4-0 off of Head. The homer was the seventh of the season for the leadoff hitter, tying him with Sanders for the team lead, and was the 30th of the season for the Tigers, second-best in the nation. It also extended Mummey's hitting streak to a team- and personal-best 13 games.
Alabama's Kent Matthes, the national leader in home runs coming into the game, added to his total with a three run job to center off of Auburn starter Paul Burnside in the third to give him 10 on the season. All three runs in the inning were unearned as Alex Kubel had reached on an error to lead off the inning and Josh Rutledge was hit by a pitch before Burnside was able to fan Brandon May and get Clay Jones to fly out to left.
Phillips' Walk-Off Gives Rebels 8-7 Win Over Austin Peay
OXFORD, Miss. -- David Phillips came in as a pinch hitter in the ninth and took the first pitch of the inning over the wall in right field to give No. 14 Ole Miss an 8-7 win over Austin Peay (5-7) at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
The Governors had just pushed two runs across in the top of the ninth, knotting the score at seven when Phillips entered the game as a pinch hitter to lead off the bottom of the ninth. The junior calmly strode to the plate and took the first pitch deep over the wall in right field, notching his first round-tripper of the season and giving the Rebels the win with his walk-off home run.
Scott Bittle (1-1) picked up the win in relief as he pitched in the ninth, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
Dylan Ray (1-1) suffered the loss for the Governors as he worked 1.2 innings and allowed the one run on three hits with a walk and a strikeout.
“That was a big home run by David (Phillips) there at the end,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. “It was an up-and-down game where we had control, but you have to credit them. But in the ninth, David got a change-up and put a good cut on it.”
Brett Basham, Kevin Mort and Matt Smith turned in solid outings at the plate to lead the Rebel offense on the night. Basham was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Mort was 3-for-4 with a run scored and n RBI. Matt Smith was also 3-for5 with a run scored and an RBI.
The Rebels got on the board in the third inning, pushing three runs across the plate on four hits. The rally started with a Zach Miller walk, before a single up the middle from Kevin Mort moved Miller to third. A bunt single from Basham scored Miller and the Rebels saw another bunt single from Jordan Henry load the bases.
Michael Snyder then hit into a fielder’s choice at second that saw Henry erased from the base path at second, but scored Mort from third. Matt Smith then doubled to left center to push the third run across as Ole Miss took a 3-0 lead.
The Governors took the lead with a big inning in the fifth as Austin Peay used five hits and two Ole Miss errors to push five runs across the plate. It began with a single and a double to open the inning before the Rebels recorded two more outs, then the Governor rally began as a throwing error and a fielding error mixed with three more hits gave Austin Peay the 5-3 lead. Reliever Rory McKean then struck out Brooks Hunton for the final out to get the Rebels out of the inning.
Ole Miss cut into the lead in the sixth when Miller scored on a groundout to second from Basham. Miller walked to open the inning before moving to third on a single up the middle from Mort. Mort then moved to second on the Basham groundout and took third on a groundout from Henry, but the Rebels couldn’t get another run across the plate as Austin Peay held a 5-4 lead after six innings of play.
The Rebels tied the game at five in the seventh when Miller hit a sac fly to right field with the bases loaded, scoring Smith and putting runners at the corners for Mort. Mort then came up with an RBI single through the right side to push Michael Hubbard across the plate and give the Rebels 6-5 lead.
Ole Miss added to the lead on a heads up play with Hashman and Mort at the corners. Mort looked to be picked off, but turned and sprinted toward second - allowing himself to be caught in a rundown. Hashman then advanced home before Mort reached second safely on a throwing error by the Governor first baseman and the Rebels claimed a 7-5 lead.
Austin Peay cut the lead to one in the ninth when Ryne Mantooth came up with an RBI single up the middle as a pinch hitter to score Chris Lewellyn from second. Lewellyn reached on a single before stealing second to get into scoring position for the Mantooth hit. A single from Michael Blanchard put runners at the corners before Greg Bachman laid down a bunt that went back to the pitcher.
Bittle fielded the ball and went home, but a pinch running Andrew Clement slid under the tag at the plate to tie the game at seven.
Ole Miss claimed the win, however, when Phillips took the first pitch over the wall in right field to give the Rebels the 8-7 win.
Ole Miss and Austin Peay will take the field again on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.