LSU rolls past McNeese 13-3 in seven innings

BATON ROUGE – McNeese got out to a quick start for the second straight game in building a 2-0 first inning lead over the LSU Tigers. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, the Tigers’ start had more pop to it as they scored 12 of their 13 runs in the first three innings and rolled to a 13-3, run-rule win over the Cowboys here Wednesday night in seven innings.

Both coaches agreed to the 10-run rule prior to the game.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak by the Cowboys over the Tigers as they fell to 22-27 overall. LSU improved to 29-20. McNeese will host Prairie View this weekend in non-conference action.

McNeese got its fast start with two runs on three hits in the top of the first behind a two-run double by catcher Dustin Duhon that was preceded by a one-out single from Reid Bouque and followed by a Provenzano double.

“I thought our offense did a really good job coming out swinging the bats and setting the tone,” said head coach Justin Hill. “We got the big two-out hit, Duhon with that. I thought that part was good.”

LSU wasted little time in getting on the board itself after it plated three runs in the bottom of the first off McNeese starter Tyler Wesley, one of those on a fielding error by Jacob Stracner in center field after he over ran the hit ball, and the Tigers grabbed a 3-2 early lead.

The Tigers opened up a five-run lead in the bottom of the second, highlighted by a three-run home run by left fielder Daniel Cabrera to make it an 8-3 game.

The lead grew to 12-3 after the Tigers took advantage of a couple of McNeese errors in a four-run, third inning then the Tigers added their final run in the bottom of the fourth.

“I liked the matchup with Tyler going against LSU,” said Hill. “We knew that they were aggressive coming out. We did not make quality pitches. We threw the ball across the middle of the plate and you can’t do that aggressive teams.

“It kind of snowballed into not being sharp defensively. We didn’t do a good job of controlling the running game. There were just a whole lot of things we didn’t do well, other than Austin Briggs.”

Briggs entered the game for the Cowboys to start the fourth inning and allowed just one unearned run and three hits in 2 1/3 innings pitched.

“I thought he executed the game plan by attacking the zone with quality pitches. He got a lot of quick outs. I was really proud of what he did today,” said Hill.

McNeese got all seven of its hits in the first four innings, led by Duhon and Whelton with two hits each.

LSU finished with 14 hits as Cabrera led the way with three of those while knocking in four runs.

Wesley (3-4) took the loss after he gave up eight runs on seven hits in 1 1/3 innings while LSU reliever Trent Vietmeier (1-0) got the win for the Tigers.

Provenzano extended his hitting streak to seven games and picked up his 43rd career double after he finished the game 1-for-1 with three walks.