BATON ROUGE – Senior Buzzy Haydel tied a career high with three hits, and freshman Tyler Hanover drove in two runs Tuesday to lead No. 2 LSU past Harvard, 4-3, in Alex Box Stadium.

The Tigers improved to 18-5 on the year with the victory in the first-ever meeting between the two squads. Harvard dropped to 2-12.

Right-hander Nolan Cain (1-0) earned his first win of the season. The senior relieved starter Ryan Byrd in the fifth inning and fired 1.2 scoreless innings without surrendering a hit and struck out one. Fellow right-handers Jordan Nicholson, Paul Bertuccini and Matty Ott combined to allow only one hit in the final three innings and did not give up a run to hold off the Crimson.

"We were fortunate to win this game," LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. "We won the game because we had super relief pitching tonight. They all pitched great in a one-run game, but Harvard out-hit us tonight, and three of those hits were by Buzzy Haydel and the other was by Tyler Hanover, who came off the bench.

"Unfortunately, I just didn't see the intensity and the effort that we need to have. I thought Harvard played very inspired, and give credit to their kids. They came out and played a little harder than we did, but somehow we won the game."

The Tigers took an early 1-0 lead as catcher Sean Ochinko drove in right fielder Jared Mitchell on an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but the Crimson scored a run in the second to tie it at 1-1 after a wild pitch brought home shortstop Sean O'Hara.

Following a sacrifice fly by center fielder Leon Landry in the bottom of the second to put the Tigers up, 2-1, Harvard tallied a pair of runs in the fifth to take a 3-2 advantage.

However, LSU struck back in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead. Haydel singled to lead off the inning, and the Tigers loaded the bases after designated hitter Chris McGhee reached on an error and Mitchell walked. Hanover, who pinch hit for third baseman Derek Helenihi, then laced a double into left to score two runs, and the Tigers went up, 4-3.

Meanwhile, the LSU bullpen kept Harvard off the scoreboard after the fifth inning to preserve the victory. Ott recorded his third save of the season after inducing a pop out and fanning two batters in the ninth.

Harvard starter Will Keuper (0-2) was charged with the loss, as he allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in 4.1 innings with three walks and one strikeout.

LSU and Harvard will face off in the second of a two-game set Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. (CDT). The game can be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network (98.1 FM), and live video, audio and stats will be available in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net.

LSU 4, Harvard 3 (Mar 24, 2009 at Baton Rouge, La.)

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Harvard............. 010 020 000 - 3 7 1 (2-12)

LSU................... 110 020 00X - 4 6 2 (18-5)

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Pitchers: Harvard - Keuper, Will; Klees, Jonah(5).

LSU - Ryan Byrd; Nolan Cain(5); Jordan Nicholson(7); Paul Bertuccini(8); Matty Ott(9).

Win-Nolan Cain(1-0) Save-Matty Ott(3) Loss-Keuper, Will(0-2) T-2:43 A-8778

Actual attendance: 3,537