South-Carolina
LSU baseball pulls off improbable comeback vs South Carolina in SEC Baseball Tournament
The game already had heads spinning.
LSU baseball had methodically erased an eight-run deficit, sending the game to extra innings, tied at 10-10 after Paxton Kling scored off a throwing error from South Carolina third baseman Lee Ellis.
In the top of the 10th, the Gamecocks attempted to steal home, but Blake Johnson was tagged out at home plate — which both teams thought ended the half inning. After lengthy debate, the umpire crew ruled LSU catcher Brady Neal stepped in front of home plate before he had possession of the ball from pitcher Griffin Herring. The run was awarded to South Carolina, giving it the 11-10 lead.
But that set the stage for Steven Milam. The freshman, with Hayden Travinksi on base, pounded a high fastball the became a walk-off, two-run home run to lift the Tigers to an improbable 12-11 win over the Gamecocks (36-23) in the SEC Baseball Tournament semifinals.
LSU (40-20) advances to the SEC Tournament championship game Sunday where it’ll face the winner of Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
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LSU baseball climbs back into the game capitalizing off South Carolina miscues
Déjà vu.
South Carolina was in control late in the game. A throwing error from Talmadge LeCroy at third base allowed the Tigers to cut into the Gamecocks’ lead, cutting it to a one-run game. Michael Braswell ended up propelling LSU ahead in the ninth with an RBI single and LSU held on 11-10.
South Carolina, which led the Tigers 8-0 at one point in the SEC Baseball Tournament semifinals Saturday afternoon, clung to a 10-9 lead in the bottom of the ninth. A throwing error from USC third baseman Lee Ellis allowed LSU pinch hitter Ethan Frey to score from second to tie the game up 10-10, sending the game to extra innings.
LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson ejected in 10th inning on South Carolina’s attempt at stealing home
South Carolina coach Mark Kingston decided to gamble and send Blake Johnson home on a steal attempt with two outs in top of the 10th.
LSU catcher Brady Neal stepped forward as pitcher Griffin Herring began his throwing motion as Jackson was racing home. Initially, Jackson was called out as Neal caught the ball and placed the tag. But, after a lengthy discussion, the umpires determined Neal stepped on the plate without possession of the ball which is a violation of a rule that results in a balk and a interference.
As a result, South Carolina was awarded the run and LSU coach Jay Johnson became heated about the ruling. During his debate with the umpires, he was ejected — Johnson’s first instance of the season.
Despite not having their coach in the dugout, LSU came through in the end.
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It wasn’t a pretty start to the game for LSU. It looked out of gas and the defense was sloppy in the early stages of the game.
At the plate, the Tigers opened the game 0-for-10 with runners on and 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They closed the game going 4-for-13 with base runners and 3-for-10 with RISP as the Tigers chipped away and eventually tied things up in the ninth.
LSU scored six runs with two outs, continuing a trend that’s won it a lot of ballgames down the stretch of the regular season.
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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.