LSU Baseball Drops Midweek Game Against UL-Lafayette, 8-5

Tigers suffer their first-midweek defeat of the year; top-ranked LSU resumes SEC play this weekend at reigning national champion Ole Miss.

Tuesday night, UL Lafayette reliever David Christie threw a career-high six innings, and the Cajuns smacked two two-run home runs to defeat No. 1 Skip Bertman Field, Alex Box Stadium, LSU, 8–5.

LSU dropped to 29-7 after its season’s first-midweek defeat, while UL Lafayette increased to 26-12.

In Oxford, Miss., the Tigers take on Ole Miss to begin a three-game SEC series., at 6:30 p.m. CT Friday, the game will be streamed on SEC Network + and carried by LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates.

In six innings, Christie (1-0) held LSU to one run on three hits, four walks, and one strikeout. Riley Cooper (1-2), a reliever for LSU, took the loss after throwing 3.1 innings and giving up four runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Heath Hood of the center fielder position hit a two-run home run in the third inning, and Conor Higgs of the left fielder position hit a two-run home run in the seventh, both of which helped the Cajuns’ offense to score runs.

Two LSU errors and two poorly played fly balls by the Tigers’ outfield were also advantageous for the Cajuns.

“UL Lafayette has a very good team, and they produced a lot of baserunners and created a lot of traffic,” said Jay Johnson, the LSU coach. “Christie did a great job for them on the mound; he went out there and did what needed to be done, and we just couldn’t quite get on the barrel against him and turn the offensive tide.”

After having Tommy John surgery in March 2022, LSU left-hander Javen Coleman made his return to the field at the beginning of the game. In the first inning of work, Coleman struck out two batters while retiring the side in order.

“It’s really awesome to see for Javen,” Johnson said. “I am aware of the effort he has put into his recovery, and it is unquestionably a positive development for our group. Never before have I witnessed a return in such a timely manner and with such formality. For him and our team, having him available makes me happy.”

Cade Beloso’s RBI triple gave LSU a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. However, the Cajuns answered with two runs in the bottom of the second on catcher Clay Wargo’s RBI sacrifice bunt and a run-scoring single by right fielder Will Veillon.

Jack Merrifield, the second baseman for the Tigers, contributed an RBI groundout in the bottom of the second to tie the score.

Hood’s two-run home run gave the Cajuns a 4-2 advantage in the third, and LSU first baseman Jared Jones’ sacrifice fly cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the inning.

The Cajuns increased their lead to 6-3 in the fourth inning thanks to two misplayed fly balls, and they went on to win 8-3 in the seventh inning thanks to a home run by Higgs.

Tre’ Morgan, a left fielder for LSU, hit his third home run of the year, a two-run dinger, in the ninth inning to cut the deficit to 8-5.

Reference: lsusports.net