LSU Edges Out Texas Aggies 4-3 in Pitchers Duel

In Hoover, the LSU Tigers took to the field for the first time in the SEC tournament. The scene in the Met was like no other; the purple and gold made the stadium look like Alex Box in Baton Rouge with more people than seats available.

The starting lineup looked the same as it does every Friday. Ace pitcher Kade Anderson would take the mound to deliver the innings the Tigers needed to slow down the No. 14 seed Aggies, who have been making quite the noise during this tournament.

That he did, Kade Anderson delivered six innings, and they were in the zone with 12 strikeouts and only one hitter walked. He was able to stall the Aggies enough for them only to plate three runs through six innings, but was then traded out for Anthony Eyanson to continue to hold off the Aggie hitters.

The game that once seemed to be in the Tigers' complete control was starting to become one that would have to be fought and clawed for as the Aggie bats started to come alive, and the Tiger bats went cold through the second half of the game.

This game became a pitcher's duel between Anthony Eyanson and Clayton Freshcorn, trying to hold each other off as much as possible.

Ethan Frey, the hitter that just can't be stopped on the Tigers, was the reason for three of the runs on the board, after delivering a double to right field in the first inning that was able to score one. He then followed up that performance in the second inning with a two-run homer, making that his 12th of the year.

“Remaining aggressive, we had to remember that games aren’t won in the first three innings,” said Ethan Frey. “As long as we stayed confident it was going to continue going our way.”

Through three innings, the score remained 4-3 with no added runs after a challenge by Jay Johnson in the seventh that was able to salvage the Tigers, still ahead. Going into the ninth, Eyanson took to the mound calm and collected, ready to deliver what the Tigers needed to stay alive another day in Hoover.

With two batters struck out by Eyansons masterclass performance, there was one left to have LSU walk away with a victory that would send them into the semifinals to face off against Ole Miss.

But this game was not without its moments, and it almost sent the Aggies right over the four-run mark. In the top of the seventh inning, Royo grounded out to third, and as Michael Braswell sent the ball flying to Jared Jones, the runner was deemed safe until Jay Johnson sprang into action to challenge the call.

If the challenge were unsuccessful, that would set up another run for the Aggies, tying the game up and sending it into a possible extra-inning situation. After review, the runner was deemed interfering, and the four on the board were taken away. Eyanson then delivered the strikeouts right when needed to end the inning.

The last two innings were a true pitcher's duel to fight each other off, and as much as the Aggies fought, it was not enough to play at least one more run to keep the Aggies alive.

It almost seemed like the physical strain of playing since Tuesday at the Met made it hard to keep the momentum that a fresh staff would be able to. The pressure was on for the Tigers on the mound, and just like clockwork.

As Terrance Kiel stepped up, he swung the bat, sending it right down to Steven Milam, who tagged out Ben Royo, putting an end to the game.

With a final score of 4-3, LSU walked away victorious and will now face Ole Miss in the semifinals of the tournament Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

The Met fans were on their feet, cheering deafeningly, making it seem louder than Death Valley on a Saturday night. The final score was 4-3.