Vanderbilt edges LSU, 1-0, to take series

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – LSU freshman right-hander Ma’Khail Hilliard and Vanderbilt freshman right-hander Mason Hickman engaged in a tremendous seven-inning pitchers’ duel Sunday, with the Commodores prevailing by a 1-0 score in Hawkins Field.

Fifth-ranked Vanderbilt improved to 17-7 overall and 5-1 in the SEC play, while LSU dropped to 16-9 and 3-3 in conference play.

Sunday’s game was a seven-inning contest because Game 2 of the series, which started on Saturday night, had to be completed on Sunday morning after heavy rain Saturday forced the game to be suspended. LSU won the resumed contest, 6-2.

SEC rules dictate that Game 3 of the series has to be seven innings in duration if Game 2 is completed earlier in the day.

LSU returns to action at 7 p.m. Tuesday when the Tigers meet Louisiana-Lafayette in the annual Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie, La.

Tuesday’s game will be televised by Cox Sports Television, and it may be heard on affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network.

“Ma’Khail was outstanding and gave us another great outing, and it was a tremendous game, but we couldn’t generate the run support we needed,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “This entire series was extremely competitive, and I thought our team played at a high level against a Top 10 opponent on the road. There were a lot of positives in the series, and we can definitely build from this weekend.”

Hilliard (4-1) was charged with the hard-luck loss, as he limited Vanderbilt to one run on four hits in six innings with one walk and a career-high eight strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches in the contest, 60 for strikes.

Hickman improved to 5-0 on the year as he allowed no runs on two hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. He gave up only a single to rightfielder Antoine Duplantis in the first inning and a single to designated hitter Beau Jordan in the second inning.

Vanderbilt scored the only run of the game in the first inning as designated hitter Philip Clarke singled, stole second base, moved to third on third baseman Austin Martin’s flyout and scored on a passed ball charged to LSU catcher Hunter Feduccia.