LSU baseball exploded for 16 runs vs. West Virginia in Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional. West Virginia managed to plate nine of their own, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep up with LSU’s outburst.
With Game 2 set for Sunday, LSU is one win away from punching a ticket to the College World Series.
But until LSU hits the field again, let’s take a look at how the Tigers got it done on Saturday. Jay Johnson showcased a different lineup with West Virginia starting a lefty. Derek Curiel is usually leading off, but he was in the No. 7 hole in Game 1. Taking Curiel’s spot atop the lineup was veteran Josh Pearson.
Both Curiel and Pearson had big days.
On the mound, Kade Anderson didn’t have his best stuff, but it was enough to make it through seven innings.
Here are five stats that defined LSU baseball’s win over West Virginia.
1. LSU only struck out four times
LSU’s bat-to-ball skills were elite on Saturday, only striking out four times. WVU starter Griffin Kirn was responsible for three of those K’s and after that, LSU struck out just three times vs. the Mountaineer bullpen.
When you put the ball in play, good things happen.
LSU wasn’t chasing pitches outside the zone and when WVU gave LSU a pitch to hit, the Tigers made them pay. If LSU is going to keep making contact at this rate, Jay Johnson’s squad will go far.
2. LSU only left five runners on base
LSU only left five runners on base all day. That’s impressive considering the amount of traffic LSU had on the base path. LSU went 5-10 with runners in scoring position, cashing in when the chance was there.
Last week, we saw LSU come up short in some big moments. That wasn’t the case on Saturday.
3. Kade Anderson pitched seven innings
It wasn’t Kade Anderson’s best day. The LSU ace allowed six earned runs and surrendered nine hits. But Anderson battled to give the Tigers seven innings.
Thanks to Anderson, LSU’s bullpen enters Game 2 in a good position. LSU did not have to burn any of its top arms on Saturday. LSU already has the pitching advantage on Sunday with Anthony Eyanson taking the mound, and now, if WVU forces a Game 3, LSU will be well-positioned thanks to Anderson’s lengthy outing.
4. LSU had TWO grand slams
Steven Milam blew the game open with a grand slam in the fifth inning, but it didn’t stop there. Josh Pearson did it again in the sixth inning. LSU combined to score 13 runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Pearson’s was especially important. After West Virginia responded to LSU’s big fifth inning with four runs of its own, Pearson’s slam swung momentum right back in LSU’s favor. The veteran outfielder didn’t see much time in the regional, but Johnson was rewarded for slotting Pearson in the leadoff spot on Saturday.
5. Three hits for Derek Curiel
LSU was down 1-0 early, but Derek Curiel flipped the script in the bottom of the fourth. Curiel drove a ball the other way after WVU hit back-to-back batters and just like that, LSU was up 3-1. LSU didn’t look back after that.
Curiel finished the day with three hits and five RBI. Curiel reached based four times and scored three runs.
