No. 23 LSU uses late rally to slip by Texas A&M in series opener, 2-1
In a tough, low-scoring battle, Texas A&M fell in the final inning to No. 23 LSU in Friday night’s series opener at Davis Diamond, 2-1.
Resuming SEC play with the Tigers, the Aggies proved strong in the first six innings. However, they were unable to finish. It was A&M’s eighth game this season to be decided by only one run.
“I thought our kids played really solid tonight,” Texas A&M head coach Jo Evans said. “Some of those games, we were losing by a run because we made an error or did something stupid on the basepaths. That wasn't the case tonight.”
In the second inning, Katie Dack— last week’s SEC Freshman of the Week — plated Makinzy Herzog to register the Aggies’ first and only run.
LSU attempted to respond in the top of the third. A walk and a double got two runners on base, but a strikeout from Herzog halted LSU’s efforts.
“She pitched a heck of a ball game,” Evans said. “She positioned us to have a chance to win the game, and we just didn't get it done.”
Offensively, LSU underperformed at the plate. Before the sixth inning, the Tigers only recorded one hit.
The Tigers stood scoreless until the seventh inning when the Aggies were just two outs away from victory.
LSU’s Ali Newland, who had only previously hit four home runs this season, saved the day for the Tigers by launching a ball off the scoreboard to tie things up.
Left-handed pitcher Emiley Kennedy relieved Herzog, who had thrown 111 pitches with three strikeouts. The freshman maintained her composure and delivered a strikeout, but LSU’s Jordyn Perkins singled down the right-field line and drove in a run to take the lead and win the game.
“Kennedy gets out there. That's a big moment for her as a freshman,” Evans said. “She settled herself down and finished the inning.”
In the bottom of the seventh, the Aggies needed an answer. With no outs, Herzog singled to center field, attempting to spark some excitement. However, a strikeout and two fly-outs completed the ballgame.
“We couldn't finish,” Evans said. “It's frustrating, but we're not here to have a pity party. I thought our kids played really good defense and got outs when we could get outs.”
The Aggies will look to bounce back on Saturday as they continue the weekend series against LSU. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
“We have to be [ready],” Evans said. “There is no time to sulk or pout or feel sorry for ourselves. This conference doesn't work that way. I expect our kids to come out and play hard tomorrow.”