Rewind: LSU 8, SLU 2

Josh Smith had four hits, including a three-run double, and Greg Deichmann hit a three-run homer as LSU defeated Southeastern Louisiana 8-2 in a non-conference game at The Box on Wednesday night.

HOW THEY SCORED

LSU second inning – With one out, Zach Watson walked and stole second base. After Jake Slaughter struck out, Watson scored on a double by Smith. LSU 1, SLU 0

LSU third inning – Michael Papierski walked. After Kramer Robertson and Cole Freeman flied out to the centerfielder, Papierski advanced to third on a single by Antoine Duplantis. Deichmann hit a three-run homer over the leftfield fence. LSU 4, SLU 0

SLU fourth inning – With one out, Taylor Schwaner hit a home run over the leftfield bleachers. LSU 4, SLU 1

LSU seventh inning – Robertson walked and Freeman singled. Freeman was forced at second base on a ground ball to the first baseman by Duplantis. Deichmann was intentionally walked to load the bases. Robertson scored on a sacrifice fly to the leftfielder by Watson. Slaughter was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Duplantis, Deichmann and Slaughter scored on a double by Smith. LSU 8, SLU 1

SLU ninth inning – With one out, Carson Crites hit a home run over the leftfield fence. LSU 8, SLU 2

KEY STRETCH OF GAME

Holding a 1-0 lead, LSU had two runners on base with two out in the bottom of the third. Deichmann went the opposite way and hit a three-run homer over the leftfield fence to give the Tigers a four-run advantage. The homer was the eighth of the year for Deichmann, who has a team-leading 31 RBIs.

KEY TEAM STATISTICS

LSU outhit SLU 10-5. Half of the Tigers’ hits went for extra bases – four doubles and a home run. Three of the Lions’ five hits went for extra bases – one double and two homers. . .SLU committed the only two errors of the game. LSU did not make an error for the fourth consecutive game. . .Four Tigers relievers allowed one run and three hits with one walk and six strikeouts in five innings. . .Seven of LSU’s eight runs came on two-out hits.

INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS

LSU

Josh Smith: 4-for-4, 4 RBIs, 2 doubles

Greg Deichmann: 2-for-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, 1 double, 1 home run

Cole Freeman: 2-for-5, 1 double

Zack Hess: 4 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts

SLU

Carlisle Koestler 3 innings, 4 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout

LSU’S PLAYER OF THE GAME

Smith had his second four-hit game of the season with two singles and two doubles. His double in the second drove home the Tigers’ first run. Smith was the beneficiary of some good fortune when his fly ball just fell out of the reach of SLU centerfielder Jacob Seward in the seventh. That hit went for a double which brought home three runs. Smith had singles in the fourth and the sixth. Smith had four hits in a game at McNeese earlier this month. The four RBIs were a season-high for Smith.

Smith’s comments: “I have been working with (hitting coach) Micah (Gibbs). He has been doing a good job with me. I am moving my hands back a little bit. You have to try to stay positive and not get down on yourself after a bad game. You need to do anything to drive in runs.”

NOTES

Beau Jordan was the designated hitter and Papierski was the catcher. The rest of the lineup was the same as usual. Jordan went 0-for-4 as his six-game hitting streak ended. . .Three players were responsible for all but two of LSU’s ten hits – Smith (four), Deichmann (two) and Freeman (two). . .Papierski threw out two runners trying to steal second base. . .Hess was lifted after four innings and 56 pitches, so he would be available for bullpen duty by Saturday. Hess was helped by a pair of outstanding catches in the outfield – one by Watson and one by Duplantis. Other than Schwaner’s home run, SLU got just one runner past first base against Hess, who won his third game of the season. Hess was eligible for the victory since it was predetermined that the Tigers were going to use more than two pitchers. . .Russell Reynolds was relieved after facing three batters in the fifth. SLU coach Matt Riser asked the umpires to check Reynolds’ cap for a foreign substance. Home plate umpire Ray Miller found nothing. However, the incident affected Reynolds, who yelled at Riser and then issued a walk. . .Freshmen Matthew Beck and Todd Peterson combined for three scoreless innings. Beck did not allow a base runner in his 1.2 innings. . .Nick Bush allowed Crites’ homer in the ninth. . .LSU is 17-5, while SLU is 14-6. . .The Tigers have now won 11 straight games against the Lions. SLU’s last victory in the series came in 2008. . .The paid attendance was 11,211. The actual crowd was about 6,100. . .Alex Lange will be the starting pitcher against Florida on Friday.

FROM THE LOCKERROOM

Coach Paul Mainieri’s comments: “This was a good solid win for our team. Zack Hess did a good job even though he let the leadoff man get on base the first three innings. The bullpen did a great job, especially Matthew Beck. He did what he has been doing which is throwing strikes. Our defense was really good and we had two excellent plays in the outfield. Greg Deichmann had a big home run and Josh Smith had a big night. This was a good momentum game going down to Gainesville.”

UP NEXT

LSU will play Florida at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville in the opener of a three-game Southeastern Conference series Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central. The Gators (14-8, 0-3) beat Stetson 9-8 in 11 innings in Deland (Fla,) on Tuesday. The LSU-Florida game will be available on the SEC Network.