LSU coach Jay Johnson’s team returned to its offensive slump on Saturday against Sacramento State at Alex Box Stadium until the late innings. (LSU photo by Jonathan Mailhes).
By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
No. 2 LSU tried to cover up for another poor offensive showing with a dramatic, late rally, but fell just short, 5-4, to Sacramento State with the winning runs on base Saturday afternoon at Alex Box Stadium.
Trailing 5-0 entering the bottom of the eighth, LSU cut it to 5-3 on an RBI double by Zach Yorke and two more runs on a wild pitch and error. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Daniel Harden led off with a home run to get the Tigers within 5-4.
After Derek Curiel lined out to right field, Jake Brown and Steven Milam walked, bringing up Yorke in the cleanup spot. But new reliever Trevor Wilson struck him out, then got Seth Dardar to fly out to center field to end the game and get his first save of the season.
The Tigers (12-4) lost their third game out of the last four and managed only three hits after putting up 14 in a 15-4 win over the same team Friday night. LSU entered that game hitting .209 over its previous six games and apparently got out of its slump.
Sacramento State (4-10) put up six hits.
LSU starter Cooper Moore (3-1) took the loss after allowing just one run in the second inning. He allowed four hits and three walks with four strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings.
Sean Carey (1-0) pitched two and two-thirds innings from the fifth through the seventh for the win. He allowed no runs, hits or walks and struck out four.
The two teams complete the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.