Hass’ homer sends Aggies past LSU, to SEC tourney semis

HOOVER, Alabama — The Aggies refused to back down to the sea of purple and yellow at the Hoover Met on Friday as Hunter Haas smashed a three-run 365-foot-homer over the left-field fence, sending them to the SEC Tournament Semifinals with the 5-4 win despite a strong outing by 3-seed LSU’s starting pitcher Ty Floyd.

Both teams scored early, plating one run each in the second inning, before LSU started to pull away. Back-to-back doubles by Dugas and Jobert in the fourth frame snagged a small lead, 2-1, before Travinski extended the lead to two with an RBI-double to the fence in the fifth, 3-1.

In the sixth inning, Herring took over on the mound for the Tigers, but the following frame spelled trouble for their bullpen as a walk and a double put two Texas A&M runners in scoring position. The Aggies started to close to gap with an RBI sac fly, 3-2, before they completely busted the game open. With one out and runners on first and second, LSU made a game-altering pitching change. Dutton’s second pitch was crushed by Haas, flying over the left-field fence and bringing in three runs to supply Texas A&M with its first lead of the game, 5-3, and the only one it would need. LSU quickly passed the ball over to Coleman who loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before sealing the seventh inning.

LSU entered the ninth at the heart of its lineup with elimination on the line. The Tigers fought back behind the resonating cheers of their fans as Travinski started their last-ditch effort with a single and advanced to third on Beloso’s double to right field. The Aggies’ pitcher appeared rattled by the crowd as a pitch got away from him, bringing in a run and then walking Jones to put runners on the corners with one out. However, he settled down enough to ensure the next two outs, escaping the Tigers’ comeback attempt and lock in the 5-4 win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

T2 | Beloso led off with a single to right center, advancing to second with Jones’ walk. Dugas hit a deep fly ball to center, allowing Beloso to tag up and advance to third, but Jones was caught red-handed on his way to second during the relay, resulting in a double play. Unfazed, Jobert hit an RBI single through the right side to plate the Tiger’s first run of the game before the Aggies ended the inning. LSU 1, Texas A&M 0

B2 | In response, the Aggies registered back-to-back doubles off the bats of Thompson and Targac, quickly tying the game. The Tigers dug their heels in, making three straight outs to end the threat as Texas A&M left a runner stranded on third. LSU 1, Texas A&M 1

T4 | LSU later put together its own pair of consecutive doubles to snatch the lead again. Dugas led off with a line drive down the left field line, making his way to second as his hit reached the fence. Jobert followed suit with a beamer past the hot corner, scoring Dugas before Texas A&M got its bearings. LSU 2, Texas A&M 1

T5 | The Tigers tacked on another unanswered run as Morgan led off the fifth with a walk before Travinski crushed one into left field. The ball fell just short of the fence, resulting in an RBI double to take a two-run lead. LSU 3, Texas A&M 1

B7 | Targac walked to start the inning and Bost smoked one into left field for a double, placing Targac on third. Minnich brought him in with a sac fly to deep left center, putting the Aggies within striking distance. The Tigers decided to change things up on the mound after Kaufer walked, but Hass sent Dutton’s second pitch deep with a go-ahead three-run shot over the left-field fence. Sensing trouble, the Tigers put Coleman on the mound. After two singles, a strikeout and a walk that loaded the bases with two outs, Coleman was able to send Targac down swinging and get LSU back to the bats. LSU 3, Texas A&M 5

T9 | The Tigers tried to claw their way back with a one-out single by Travinski. Beloso’s double moved him to third before the riled-up LSU crowd caused Aggies pitcher Aschenbeck to throw one to the backstop, scoring Travinski. Jones walked, putting runners on the corners, but a strikeout and pop out in foul territory sealed the decision. LSU 4, Texas A&M 5

UP NEXT

Ten-seed Texas A&M (36-24) will move on to the semifinals with a chance for redemption against 1-seed Arkansas (40-15). First pitch is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday in a contest that will be televised on SEC Network.

The 3-seeded Tigers (43-14), while eliminated from the SEC Tournament, will await word on when and where they’ll play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.