Seventh Inning Pushes No. 19 LSU Past State In Series Opener

Thursday, March 29

Baton Rouge, La.

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

13-14, 1-6

#19 LSU

17-10, 4-3

Mississippi State

LSU

Photo by: Nicole Reighter

Seventh Inning Pushes No. 19 LSU Past State In Series Opener

March 29, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BATON ROUGE, La. – Seven runs in the Tiger seventh separated Mississippi State and No. 19 LSU as the Bulldogs fell 10-1 in Southeastern Conference action Thursday night at Alex Box Stadium.

LSU won its seventh straight in the series to improve to 17-10 overall and 4-3 in league play, while MSU fell to 13-14 and 1-6.

The teams were locked in a tight pitchers' duel until LSU's seventh stretched a 2-1 lead.

"Konnor ran out of gas there in the seventh inning, but he was not the issue tonight," MSU head coach Gary Henderson said. "He competed and gave us a chance to win. We had 10 strikeouts (off Hess) and we have to be better at the plate."

Jake Mangum doubled and Tanner Allen walked in the first inning but each was stranded in scoring position. After that, LSU starter Zack Hess retired 10 in a row.

Marshall Gilbert broke the string up for the Bulldogs with a two-out double in the fifth inning.

The Bulldogs then did score to pull within 2-1 in the sixth inning. Mangum drew a leadoff walk, stole second and scored on a Hunter Stovall double. The Bulldogs again left two runners stranded in that at-bat.

In the seventh inning, LSU finally got to MSU starter Konnor Pilkington. Ironically, the Bulldogs got the first two out of the inning before a double, single and triple ended Pilkington's night.

Pilkington (1-4) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and five runs (all earned), with six strikeouts and three walks. Jared Liebelt recorded one out while facing seven batters in the frame. Liebelt allowed five hits and four runs (all earned). Cole Marsh finished the contest.

Hess (4-3) worked 6.2 innings as well, allowing three hits and one run (earned), with 10 strikeouts and four walks.

The Bulldogs and Tigers will retake Skip Bertman Field on Friday for another 7 p.m. CT first pitch, this time on SEC Network+, which can be accessed through WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app.

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