Arkansas Beats LSU In SEC Baseball Tournament 4-1

Since Arkansas and LSU both won Wednesday, the anticipation of a pitcher's duel between Ryne Stanek and Austin Nola had been buzzing. The two aces didn't disappoint.

LSU's only run was unearned. Stanek's final line was 8 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (121 pitches/71 strikes). Nola was also very good, as Arkansas was only able to manufacture one run, scoring the final three after he was taken out after the seventh inning.

The Razorbacks took the 2-1 lead in the 8th on a safety squeeze by Tyler Spoon. With runners on the corners and one out, Spoon laid down a bunt toward first base and Matt Vinson reached the plate before the Tigers' catcher had a chance to reach around to tag him.

The Hogs picked up another couple of runs in the ninth in very fun ways. LSU didn't challenge Jacob Morris stealing third base. Then Joe Serrano hit a line drive off the LSU pitcher Will LeMarche's foot, allowing Morris to score easily. Serrano then stole 2nd and 3rd unchallenged, and with two outs, Vinson laid down a bunt and beat the throw to push the score to 4-1.

You could sense the game was over, and LSU promptly went three up, three down in the bottom of the ninth.

With the win, the Hogs get Friday off and await Saturday's semifinal at noon against the winner of the first game on Friday.