Baseball's SEC Tournament Run Comes to a Close in Loss to LSU
HOOVER – In one of the wildest games in the SEC Tournament in recent memory, LSU hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th to defeat the University of South Carolina baseball team, 12-11, in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon (May 25) at the Hoover Met.
Carolina took an 8-0 lead through three-and-a-half innings that was highlighted by a three-run home run from Dalton Reeves. Parker Noland and Cole Messina combined for three RBI in a four-run top of the fourth.
LSU chipped away at the lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Carolina battled back with a two-spot in the sixth, but LSU had a run in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the ninth to send the game into extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Blake Jackson tried a straight steal of home. He was initially tagged out for the third out of the inning, but interference by the catcher overturned that and gave the Gamecocks and 11-10 lead. Steven Milan then hit the walk-off home run for LSU as the Tigers moved on to the championship game.
Noland and Reeves drove in three runs apiece. Jackson joined them with two hits apiece. The loss went to Garrett Gainey, who allowed two earned runs in an inning-plus of work. Roman Kimball started for Carolina, striking out a pair in 3.2 innings. Matthew Becker had three punchouts while Sam Simpson recorded two.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Cole Messina extended his on-base streak to 18 games on Saturday.
- Carolina was playing in its first SEC Tournament semifinal since 2017.
- Messina ended his SEC Tournament with 16 RBI.
- The Gamecocks picked up wins over Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky in their SEC Tournament run.
UP NEXT
Carolina will find out where and who they will play in the NCAA Tournament as the selection show is on Monday, May 27 at noon on ESPN2.
