Texas Baseball pitching holds No. 1 LSU for nine innings

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Baseball started pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr against LSU that resulted in nine strikeouts after facing 20 LSU batters over the first five innings. Texas would hold LSU to just four hits. One hit in the ninth by LSU’s second baseman Gavin Dugas went too far and landed over the fence in left-center out of reach and three runners scored. Texas had one last stand in the ninth, but could not and fell to LSU 3-0.

Coach Pierce commented that LSU’s first pitcher Thatcher Hurd is potentially a first-rounder.

Texas held LSU and LSU held Texas. Both teams had four hits each. Texas put six pitchers on the mound (LeBarron Johnson Jr, Charlie Hurley, Shaw, DJ Burke, Chris Stuart, and Andre Duplantier II)

In all, Texas pitchers faced 39 batters, threw 179 pitches, 101 strikes (56%) that resulted in 16 strikeouts against LSU and held them to just four hits. Unlucky for Texas, it took just one hit over the fence to secure the game.

LSU pitchers faced 33 Texas batters, threw 119 pitches, 84 strikes (70.5%) and held Texas to four hits also.

Eric Kennedy went 2-3, Jack O’Dowd 1-4 and first baseman Jared Thomas went 1-4.

Speaking of Eric Kennedy, one highlight came at the top of the second inning when Jordan Thompson singled to center field deep enough to score Tre’ Morgan from second, however Kennedy picked up the ball and threw a laser to a waiting Garret Guillemette at the plate. Guillemette tags out Morgan to save the run and retire the side. Impressive throw.

Texas Baseball travels for Fullerton, California for a weekend series starting Friday. All three games will be televised on ESPN+. If you don’t have ESPN+, you can sign-up here.

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