LSU falls 4-2 to Tennessee in Game 1 of Knoxville Super Regional
The Tigers fell to the Vols 4-2 in Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional on Saturday night.
LSU was off to a strong start in Knoxville with pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard keeping the Vols mostly quiet through a significant five innings of pitching in Game 1.
With a one-run lead going into the sixth, and Hilliard pitching a solid game –the Tigers made the fatal mistake of relieving Hilliard with freshman left-hander Javen Coleman.
Coleman is known to be a play maker, but tonight just wasn’t his night.
Coleman had a stand-out performance last week in the regional against Oregon — holding the Ducks to one run on three hits in six innings with six strikeouts.
However, tonight’s matchup was a different vibe. Coleman retired the first batter he faced in the difference-making sixth, before walking Max Ferguson and giving up a double to Jake Rucker.
Gilbert scored the final run of the game on a Jordan Beck single to right field.
Why try to fix something that’s not broken? Hilliard was on the money tonight.
LSU scored one earned run against Tennessee pitcher Chad Dallas, in what was a solo home run from Cade Doughty.
Although tonight didn’t go exactly as planned at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the Tigers have another chance to redeem themselves with a win in Game 2 of the best-of-three series Sunday at 3 p.m.
LSU plays its best ball in elimination games anyway. Tiger nation has high hopes that tomorrow won’t be the end of the road for the ‘Road Dogs’ and CPM.
Time to claim it.
