Southern Miss sends the Tigers packing in Game 7 of the Hattiesburg Regional

The Tigers’ season came to an end in the regional final on Monday evening.

Two of the best words in all of sports: Game 7.

It was do-or-die for LSU and Southern Miss as they squared off for the third time this weekend at the Hattiesburg Regional. Despite winning their first two games of the postseason, the Tigers couldn’t close things out and saw their season end in an 8-7 shootout.

[autotag]Ma’Khail Hillard[/autotag] got the start on the mound in the big game. Southen Miss got on the board early as the first batter of the game hit a solo shot to make it 1-0 Golden Eagles. LSU answered back with a big first inning of their own as the Tigers plated three runs thanks to a two-RBI single from [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] and a bunt single for an RBI by [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] to make it 3-1 Tigers after one.

In the bottom of the third inning, [autotag]Cade Doughty[/autotag] made his presence felt as he hit a solo shot of his own to make it 4-1 LSU.

In the top of the fourth inning, [autotag]Paul Gervase[/autotag], the Tigers’ closer, came in to try and eat up some innings and retain the LSU lead. Southern Miss proceeded to score two runs and cut the lead to 4-3.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, LSU loaded the bases with two outs but they were unable to score any runs as [autotag]Drew Bianco[/autotag] struck out to end the inning. In the top of the seventh, Southern Miss loaded the bases on [autotag]Devin Fontenot[/autotag] and scored on a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game at 4-4.

That brought [autotag]Bryce Collins[/autotag] out of the bullpen for LSU and the first hitter he faced ripped a single to left field to score the go-ahead run as the Golden Eagles took a 5-4 lead. After a four-pitch walk to load the bases, [autotag]Trent Vietmeier[/autotag] was brought out of the bullpen to try and get LSU out of the jam only down by one run.

The first batter Vietmeier faced hit a two-RBI single to right field to make it 7-4 Golden Eagles before the Tigers finally got out of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, Berry walked, Doughty doubled, and [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 7-5. Thompson then grounded one up the middle to make it a one-run game.

Still two outs, runners on first and second for [autotag]Tyler McManus[/autotag]. McManus struck out, but the Tigers were able to score two runs and cut it to a one-run game as we headed to the eighth inning.

In the top of the eighth inning, [autotag]Eric Reyzelman[/autotag] entered the game looking to help the Tigers keep the momentum going from the bottom of the seventh. He did his job as he retired the Golden Eagles 1-2-3 and kept the momentum rolling for the Tigers.

Dugas, Bianco, and Pearson were due up for LSU. On a 3-1 count, Gavin Dugas hit a solo home run to tie the game at seven. With two outs, Crews drew a walk to put him on first base as Berry stepped into the box.

That elicited a pitching change from Southern Miss. Berry grounded out, and we went to the ninth inning tied 7-7. In the top of the ninth, Southern Miss scored a run on a sacrifice fly to take an 8-7 lead as we headed to the bottom of the ninth.

This was it, do-or-die. How would the Tigers respond?

Doughty, Morgan, and Thompson were due up for LSU. Doughty grounded out to third for out No. 1. Morgan grounded out to second, and Thompson struck out as the Tigers fell 8-7. With that, the season is over for LSU. Southern Miss will advance to the super regional as a host and will play Ole Miss.

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