THIRD-RANKED LSU CLAIMS 7-1 WIN OVER ALABAMA
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Updated: April 15, 2012
LSU, which won for the 12th time in 13 games, improved to 29-7 overall and 10-4 in the SEC. The Tigers are 0.5 game behind first-place Kentucky (11-4) in the overall SEC race.
Alabama fell to 13-22 overall and 4-10 in league play.
The teams conclude the series at Noon Sunday in Alex Box Stadium. Freshman right-hander Aaron Nola will start on the mound for LSU, while Alabama will counter with freshman left-hander Jon Keller.
Sunday's game may be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network, and live audio and stats will be available at www.LSUsports.net. The game will be televised by ESPN2, and live video may be viewed at www.ESPN3.com.
Eades (5-1) threw 116 pitches in 7.1 innings, allowing just one run on two hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
"Ryan Eades was amazing tonight," said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. "I knew he would give us a great effort, because of the determination and the work ethic that he has. He is such a competitor, and he is very talented pitcher, and I thought that tonight was one of the best outings of his career."
LSU struck for two runs in the first inning against Alabama starter Justin Kamplain. Third baseman Tyler Hanover drew a one-out walk and rightfielder Mason Katz was hit by a pitch before designated hitter Raph Rhymes produced an RBI double down the left-field line. Katz later scored in the inning on catcher Ty Ross' groundout.
The Tigers extended the lead to 3-0 in the sixth when first baseman Tyler Moore delivered a two-out RBI single to score Rhymes.
Alabama narrowed the gap to 3-1 in the eighth on catcher Brett Booth's sacrifice fly, but the Tigers erupted for four runs in the bottom of the inning.
Ross' two-run triple highlighted the LSU eighth, which also included an RBI single by shortstop Austin Nola and a sacrifice fly by centerfielder Arby Fields.
Kamplain (1-3) was charged with the loss as he allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
LSU received another strong effort from its bullpen, as junior left-hander Brent Bonvillain worked out of an eighth-inning jam with the tying run at first base, and junior right-hander Nick Goody fired two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.
LSU 7, Alabama 1 (Apr 14, 2012 at Baton Rouge, La.)
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Alabama............. 000 000 010 - 1 2 0 (13-22, 4-10 SEC)
LSU.................... 200 001 04X - 7 11 1 (29-7, 10-4 SEC)
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Pitchers: Alabama - Justin Kamplain; Charley Sullivan(8) and Brett Booth. LSU - Ryan Eades;
Brent Bonvillain(8); Nick Goody(9) and Ty Ross.
Win-Ryan Eades(5-1) Loss-Justin Kamplain(1-3) T-2:24 A-11505
Actual Attendance: 8,618
