By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor
Possum or no possum, there’s just something about the middle game of an LSU/Arkansas series that lends itself to wild comebacks.
LSU stormed back from an 8-1 deficit to score nine runs in the final three innings — including five runs in the top of the ninth — to defeat Arkansas 10-8 and even the three-game series at a game apiece at Baum Stadium on Saturday night.
Facing a third consecutive Southeastern Conference series loss, LSU manufactured five runs in the ninth to take the lead. The runs scored on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, a wild pitch and two separate errors. Greg Deichmann hit a mammoth two-run home run in the eight to get LSU within three.
Hunter Newman stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to nail down the save. Arkansas put the tying runs in scoring position with nobody out, but the senior closer wiggled out of trouble. After intentionally walking the bases loaded, Newman struck out Luke Bonfield to end the game.
Things looked bleak early as the Razorbacks lit up Jared Poche’ for seven earned runs in just 3.1 innings. However, the much-maligned LSU bullpen enabled the comeback by holding the heavy-hitting Hogs to one run in 5.2 innings of work.
The comeback victory sets up an all-important rubber match for Sunday afternoon. Who knows, if last year was any indication, perhaps LSU has another hot streak in its bones.
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