Posted on Sun, May. 04, 2008

LOUISIANA ST. 3-12, KENTUCKY 1-5

Tigers take two at Hagan

UK DOUBLES HOME LOSSES, DROPS TO 6TH IN SEC EAST

By Jerry Tipton

JTIPTON@HERALD-LEADER.COM

A Kentucky baseball team that had only lost two home games all season lost two more on Saturday. Losing a doubleheader to streaking LSU left the Wildcats sensing that a promising season might be squandered with another setback in Sunday's series finale.

"Our season's on the line," senior second baseman Ryan Wilkes after Kentucky lost 3-1 in 10 innings and 12-5.

Kentucky came into the LSU series thinking about post-season play and possibly hosting an NCAA Tournament regional. The two losses dropped UK into a tie for last in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division.

From UK's point of view, Sunday's game carries plenty of post-season implications.

"You can't get swept at home and expect any of that stuff to come your way," UK Coach John Cohen said of playing in the Southeastern Conference and/or NCAA tournaments later this spring.

Good fortune and good play enabled LSU to stretch its winning streak to eight games. A late-inning interference call against Kentucky allowed LSU to stay alive and win the first game in extra innings. In the second game, the Tigers pounded a Kentucky team that came into the day with a 25-2 record in Cliff Hagan Stadium this season.

"I feel good about the way the kids are playing," LSU Coach Paul Mainieri said. "I've felt good about the way they've been playing for more than a month.

"Now we're finding the secrets to winning, and their confidence is growing with each passing day. They're starting to really believe that they can do it, and it's fun to watch them. They're a confident group."

LSU won the first game with two runs in the 10th inning against UK reliever Scott Green.

Green, arguably the Kentucky pitcher with the most "stuff," struck out the first three batters he faced. But with two outs in the 10th, LSU strung together three straight hits. Leadoff man Chris McGhee started the rally with a single. He scored on a double by third baseman Michael Hollander, the only senior position player to start for LSU. Right fielder Derek Helenihi drove in Hollander with a single.

Jared Bradford, who retired every batter he faced in two innings of relief, got the victory for LSU.

UK starter Chris Rusin pitched well enough to win. He gave up only five hits in eight-plus innings. A fielder's choice scored the only run he surrendered.

Except for an umpire's decision, Rusin and Kentucky might have won. Umpire Tony Maners called interference on Sawyer Carroll, who had tried to break up a double play at second with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of a 1-1 game. The force at second represented the second out and interference made for the third out, thus nullifying the go-ahead run.

"A Murphy's Law deal," Cohen called the first game. "We're going to win the game."

Cohen argued the interference call, but seemed to accept Maners' ruling that Carroll over-slid the bag. Otherwise, "they have no chance for a double play," the UK coach said. "None.

"And Sawyer's the reason we've won a lot of games. So I hate to pin anything on him."

Carroll and Collin Cowgill, UK's third and fourth hitters, combined for one hit in 15 at-bats.

In contrast to the nip-and-tuck drama of the first game, Kentucky fell behind and fell apart quickly in the second game. Starter James Paxton lasted only six pitches, none strikes, before being lifted because of an Achilles injury.

Kentucky committed four errors in the first five innings. Bradford threw four shutout innings of relief to make an early 7-0 lead golden for LSU. On the day, Bradford gave up two hits in six innings.

Cohen lamented having to play a doubleheader, which became necessary because of Friday's rainout. "We're not good in doubleheaders and I hated that we had to play it," the UK coach said. "Our team has to play with a lot of passion and energy. And it's a lot easier to do that for three and one-half hours."

Kentucky needs the passion and energy to match the advantages other SEC baseball programs having in tradition and fan interest, Cohen said.

With only 797 fans in Cliff Hagan Stadium (the announced attendance of 2,335 reflects tickets sold), the hearty LSU contingent of about 200 made its presence felt.

"Obviously, awesome fans," Cohen said. "Screaming and yelling their hearts out 600 miles away from Baton Rouge.

"Boy, I'd love to have some of that."