The Gators were finally able to get some revenge in Baton Rouge, taking game two 6-4 in 11 innings with impressive outings from the relief pitching staff, keeping the Tigers off the board after the fourth inning. The Gators had 8 hits, compared to LSU’s 11, but a strong defensive night for the Gators helped pull off the win.
It was a quiet first two innings for both teams, but LSU got on the board first in the third inning, going up 1-0.
The Gators took the 2-1 lead in the fourth with a groundout from Kurland who was moved down in the batting lineup to sixth and then a single from Thomas.
LSU had a response to tie it up at 2-2 with a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth.
The Tigers hit two more solo shots in the fifth to go up 4-2 which ended Peterson’s day. He had four strikeouts on the day. Frank Menendez replaced Peterson who was then replaced by McNeillie in the sixth.
In the eighth, Evans got things started with a double to left field. Caglianone got in on the offensive action with a single. Kurland struck out but reached first by beating the wild pitch, which allowed Evans to score. The Gators were now only down 4-3.
In the ninth, Ashton Wilson pinch hit for Garrison and started the inning off with a walk. Shelton grounded out, but Wilson was able to advance to second. Robertson then came in to pinch run for Wilson and scored on an RBI single from Evans. It was tied 4-4.
Neely came to the mound in the ninth and was able to keep the Tigers off the board to go into extra innings.
The Gators loaded the bases, but couldn’t capitalize on the situation. Heyman was moved from designated hitter to catcher, losing the designated hitter position.
Slater came in to pitch in the tenth and blanked LSU, forcing 11 innings.
The Gators offense finally started to click in inning 11 when Evans hit a single to right field. Caglianone then took advantage and hit a two run homerun, his tenth of the year, to take the lead, 6-4.
Slater closed out the game in the bottom of the inning, and the Gators win 6-4 and even up the series. The pitching staff combined for 9 strikeouts on the night and kept the Tigers off the board after the fourth inning.
Game three, the series finale, will be 3 p.m. Sunday with Jac Caglianone set to take the mound.