Tigers win eighth straight game
By Tiger Rag News Service
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Rightfielder Antoine Duplantis and designated hitter Bryce Jordan combined to drive in six runs Sunday to lead 11th-ranked LSU to a 10-7 win over Tennessee and a sweep of the three-game SEC series in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
LSU, which extended its win streak to eight games, improved to 36-16 overall and 17-10 in the SEC, while Tennessee dropped to 26-26 and 7-20.
LSU plays host to Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. The game may be viewed online on SEC Network +, accessible at WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app.
Tuesday’s game can be heard on affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network, with live audio and live stats available at www.LSUsports.net.
Duplantis was 2-for-5 at the plate with an RBI single and a three-run homer to pace the Tigers’ 11-hit output. Jordan was 3-for-3 with a run-scoring single and a solo homer.
LSU first baseman Greg Deichmann broke a 6-6 tie in the eighth inning with an RBI single, and he contributed a run-scoring single.
Right-hander Parker Bugg (1-2), the third of four LSU pitchers, was credited with the win as he worked two innings and allowed two runs on three hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Tennessee reliever Hunter Martin (3-2) took the loss, as he surrendered one run on one hit in 2.1 innings with two walks and no strikeouts.
“This was a tremendous win for our team, because it allowed us to keep all of our goals within reach,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “Completing a sweep in the SEC is a very difficult task, but we came to the park today determined to finish the job. We swung the bats well to take the lead, and when Tennessee came back to tie the game, we responded in a big way.”
LSU took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning as second baseman Cole Freeman belted a two-run triple and Duplantis added an RBI single.
Tennessee answered with two runs in the bottom of the second as shortstop Max Bartlett delivered an RBI single, and first baseman Derek Lance drove home a run on a grounder to short.
LSU shortstop Kramer Robertson doubled to lead off the third, and he scored on a two-out single by Jordan to give the Tigers a 4-2 advantage.
Jordan launched a solo homer – his fifth dinger of the year – and Deichmann blasted a run-scoring triple in the sixth, increasing the LSU lead to 6-2.
The Vols narrowed the deficit to 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth when catcher Tyler Schultz lined a two-run double against Bugg.
Tennessee tied the game in the seventh when catcher Benito Santiago lined a two-run triple, but LSU regained the lead in the eighth when Deichmann provided an run-scoring single, and Duplantis launched the three-run homer, his second dinger of the year.
A run-scoring single by Tennessee centerfielder Brodie Leftridge against reliever Hunter Newman in the bottom of the eighth reduced LSU’s lead to 10-7.
Newman worked the final two innings on the mound for the Tigers, limiting the Vols to one run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout.
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