LSU comes back from behind once again to secure its first SEC Tournament title berth since 2017 after a two-run walk-off homer from Steven Milam.
It looked like LSU’s Cinderella run to the SEC championship game when it was down by a large margin of runs through the fourth inning.
However, the Fighting Tigers would rather give everyone at Hoover Municipal Stadium cardiac arrest. LSU came back and won 12-11 in extra innings to advance to its first SEC championship game since 2017 when freshman second baseman Steven Milam launched a walk-off two-run homer for the win.
Shortstop Michael Braswell III lined an RBI single, and first baseman Jared Jones drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 8-2. Left fielder Josh Pearson recorded a two-run single, designated hitter Travinski lined an RBI single and another run scored when South Carolina left fielder Kennedy Jones misplayed Travinski’s hit, allowing the ball to roll to the outfield wall.
South Carolina increased its lead to 10-6 in the sixth when designated hitter Cole Messina hit an RBI sacrifice fly and second baseman Parker Noland recorded an RBI single.
Jones hit his 25th homer of the year when he launched a solo shot over the wall to lead off the bottom of the sixth, narrowing the gap to 10-7.
LSU scored two more runs in the seventh as right fielder Ashton Larson hit a sacrifice fly, and Braswell blasted a solo homer, his third of the season.
The Tigers tied the game at 10-10 in the bottom of the ninth as pinch hitter Ethan Frey led off with a double, and pinch runner Paxton Kling scored when South Carolina misplayed a bunt by LSU catcher Alex Milazzo.
South Carolina had two runners in scoring position after a wild pitch. While LSU appeared to have retired the side when it threw out Blake Jackson attempting to steal home to end the top of the 10th inning.
However, after multiple discussions among the umpires, they determined LSU pitcher Griffin Herring had committed a balk and Brady Neal, who replaced Milazzo at catcher, was guilty of catcher’s interference. This allowed the Gamecocks to take an 11-10 lead and allow the batter a free ride to first base.
Due to the frustration of the ensuing chaos, Johnson was ejected for the second time this season. During the 18-minute interruption, LSU attempted to protest the play and wanted it to be reviewed. However, because was considered a judgment call, the play was not subject to review.
As a result of the ruling, South Carolina had runners on first and second and took an 11-10 lead. Despite the momentum shifting to the Gamecocks, LSU’s bats still were hot.
After Travinski forced a walk to lead off the inning, Milam launched his walkoff two-run homer to give LSU the win as well as relieving SEC officials from the public relations nightmare from the controversy that unfolded in the 10th inning.
LSU will face Tennessee on Sunday at 2:00 CT for a chance to win its first SEC Tournament title since 2017.