LSU heads back to Omaha for 19th time in program history
LSU designated hitter Cade Beloso launched a three-run bomb in the top of the third to give the No. 5 national seed a lead and lift the Tigers to an 8-3 victory over Kentucky in Game 2 of the NCAA Baton Rouge Super Regional on Sunday evening at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
Trip No. 19 to Omaha for the LSU Tigers
With the victory, LSU clinched its 19th trip to the Men’s College World Series in Omaha. The Tigers improved to 48-15 on the season, and the Wildcats season came to an end with a 40-21 record.
The Tigers return to action when LSU takes on the winner of the Hattiesburg Super Regional in the heartland at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. Each game will be telecast on the ESPN family of networks, and fans can listen to LSU games on the LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates.
Tigers take Super Regional with sweep of Kentucky
LSU left-hander Riley Cooper (4-3) earned the win after coming in relief for Ty Floyd. He fired 3.0 innings of shutout baseball while allowing two hits and striking out two batters.
The Kentucky starter Austin Strickland (4-2) was charged with the loss after tossing 2.2 innings and allowing five runs on five hits.
The Wildcats’ centerfielder Jackson Gray opened the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. LSU responded in the top half of the second with a run of its own. The frame began with second baseman Gavin Dugas wearing a pitch, shortstop Jordan Thompson collecting an infield hit and left fielder Josh Pearson smoking a single through the left side.
The Tigers tied it up at one with a fielder’s choice from center fielder Dylan Crews.
LSU’s designated hitter Cade Beloso launched his 14th homer of the season in the third inning to give the Tigers their first lead of the game. The home run – one of a three-run variety – occurred following a double from first baseman Tre’ Morgan and a single from catcher Hayden Travinski.
The Tigers coaxed three straight walks after Beloso’s bomb to load the bases for White, and he delivered with an RBI infield single to make the score 5-1. Over the next two innings, Kentucky hit two more solo homers from catcher Devin Burkes and right fielder Nolan McCarthy to decrease the deficit to 5-3.
LSU pitchers down the stretch were able to stymie the Wildcat hitters, putting up five consecutive zeroes. The Tigers utilized two relievers after Floyd including Cooper and right-hander Gavin Guidry. The two combined to throw 5.2 innings without allowing a run on only three hits with six punchouts.
Crews, one of the most decorated players to come through the program, delivered the big hit in the top of the ninth to give the Tigers a comfortable lead. With two runners on, he smoked a double in the left-field corner to make it 8-3.
The Tigers made it 7-3 in the same frame on a wild pitch.
Editor’s note: This is a press release from LSUSports.net
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