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How it happened: LSU trailed 4-1 in the third inning, but rallied to remain undefeated on the season, scoring two runs in the ninth inning to win 6-5 over BYU. Third baseman Christian Ibarra started the rally in the ninth, with a one-out solo home run. The Tigers eventually loaded the bases and left fielder Raph Rhymes singled home the winning run with a long line drive to the left field wall.
On the hill: Starting pitcher Aaron Nola struggled early on and gave up four runs in the third inning. He uncharastically allowed three walks in six innings. Nola only walked seven hitters last season. But after giving up the three-run homer, Nola allowed only one more hit. Right-hander Joey Bourgeois was the winning pitcher. He was impressive, striking out four in 1.2 innings pitched.
At the plate: LSU hit two home runs. Mason Katz hit his first of the season in the 2nd inning and Ibarra had a dramatic home run in the ninth. Freshman Mark Laird had four hits on the night. The freshman from Monroe came into the game with only two hits on the season. Laird, who is a left-handed hitter, finally got a chance to see multiple at-bats against right-handed pitching.
What it means: It's early, but this was a nice win for the 5-and-0 Tigers. Nola struggled early, but eventually settled down and kept LSU in the game. LSU showed some fight in this one, rallying back from a three-run deficit to tie it at 4 and then scoring two runs in the ninth to win it.
(Photo by Steve Franz, LSU Athletics Staff Photographer)
Up next: Weather permitting, LSU will host Southeastern Louisiana (3-0) on Friday night. Ryan Eades will start for the Tigers. Eades did not allow a run in six innings last weekend.
