After a heartbreaking loss to Wake Forest on Monday night, LSU was tasked with facing Tennessee for the fifth time this season as [autotag]Nate Ackenhausen[/autotag] took the mound for the Tigers.
An incredible outing from Ackenhausen lifted LSU to a 5-0 shutout win as it keeps its season alive and advances to face Wake Forest in a rematch in the semifinals on Wednesday.
[autotag]Cade Beloso[/autotag] drew first blood in the top of the first with an RBI single to give LSU a 1-0 lead.
TIGERS STRIKE FRIST
Beloso brings one home for LSU!#MCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @LSUbaseball pic.twitter.com/asBGwIOEwF— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 20, 2023
In the bottom of the first inning, Ackenhausen became the first LSU pitcher to get his first start as a Tiger in the College World Series. As you can see from the graphic below, it went very well for him.
.@NateAckenhausen is the only @LSUbaseball pitcher to get his 1st start as a Tiger in the College World Series.
He was a starter for much of his JC career (10/10 starts in 2022; 2/14 in 2021). https://t.co/LnSvs8G5MO
— Todd Politz (@tpolitz) June 21, 2023
In the top of the sixth inning, LSU scored again when Zane Denton had an error trying to throw the ball to first base to get [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] out on a bunt attempt. [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] scored to increase the lead to 2-0.
The Tigers plate another
LSU – 2
TENN – 0
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/WVkFdfEYdk— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) June 21, 2023
Ackenhausen’s day was done after six full innings. He gave up zero runs on four hits, seven strikeouts, and zero walks. [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag] came in to pitch after him. In the top of the eighth inning, LSU scored again on a wild pitch with the bases loaded to extend the lead to 3-0 LSU. In the top of the ninth inning, [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] hit a two-run homer to give LSU a 5-0 lead as Tennessee faced their final three outs of their season.
The missile knows where it is at all times. @__dc4__ | ESPN pic.twitter.com/yTgi8ShZS2
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) June 21, 2023
Cooper retired the Vols 1-2-3 and the Tigers live to fight another day. LSU will play Wake Forest on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT. The Tigers must beat the Demon Deacons twice to make it to the national title series.
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