LSU EARNS 4-3 WIN OVER AUBURN IN GAME 3 OF SEC SERIES
By:
Updated: March 28, 2012
AUBURN, Ala. - Second baseman JaCoby Jones lined an RBI single in the top of the ninth inning Sunday to lift No. 8 LSU to a 4-3 win over Auburn at Plainsman Park.
LSU improved to 18-6 overall and 3-3 in the SEC, while Auburn fell to 15-9 overall and 4-2 in conference play. LSU returns to action at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday as the Tigers play host to Louisiana-Lafayette in Alex Box Stadium.
With the score tied at 3-3 entering the top of the ninth inning, designated hitter Jared Foster was walked by Auburn reliever Trey Cochran-Gill, and he advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Tyler Hanover.
Jones ripped a Cochran-Gill pitch to center field to score Foster and give LSU the lead.
Sophomore right-hander Kurt McCune pitched a scoreless ninth for LSU to earn his first career save. McCune struck out first baseman Garrett Cooper and retired designated hitter Justin Bryant on a grounder to second for the first two outs of the inning.
Shortstop Dan Glevenyak drew a walk, but pinch hitter Kody Ortman flied out to center to end the game.
"I'm extremely proud of our team for giving another tremendous effort and getting a well-deserved victory," said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. "We faced a lot of adversity and some bad luck during this series, but we came out today and played with a lot of intensity. The entire team contributed to an important win for the Tigers today."
Junior left-hander Chris Cotton (2-0) was credited with the win as he retired the final two Auburn batters in the eighth inning in relief of starter Aaron Nola. Nola turned in a strong 7.1-inning outing, limiting Auburn to three runs on eight hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
Cochran-Gill (1-1) was charged with the loss as he allowed one run on two hits in 1.1 innings with two walks and two strikeouts. Auburn starter Daniel Koger worked seven innings, surrendering three unearned runs on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
LSU struck for three runs against Koger in the top of the fourth to break a scoreless tie. Leftfielder Raph Rhymes lined an RBI single and catcher Ty Ross delivered a two-run single to highlight the inning.
Auburn centerfielder Ryan Tella launched a two-run homer in the sixth to narrow LSU's lead to 3-2.
Auburn tied the game 3-3 in the seventh when catcher Caleb Bowen tripled off of Nola and scored on third baseman Zach Alvord's single.
LSU 4, Auburn 3 (Mar 25, 2012 at Auburn, Ala.)
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LSU.................... 000 300 001 - 4 9 0 (18-6, 3-3 SEC)
Auburn.............. 000 002 100 - 3 8 2 (15-9, 4-2 SEC)
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Pitchers: LSU - Aaron Nola; Chris Cotton(8); Kurt McCune(9) and Ty Ross.
Auburn - Daniel Koger; Trey Cochran-Gill(8); Cory Luckie(9); Dillon Ortman(9) and Caleb Bowen.
Win-Chris Cotton(2-0) Save-Kurt McCune(1) Loss-Trey Cochran-Gill(1-1) T-2:37 A-3610
HR AU - Ryan Tella (1).
