In a game that the LSU Tigers needed to win to avoid a 3-6 start in SEC play, the Tigers fell behind 7-0 only to rally and beat the Kentucky Wildcats 14-10.
LSU got two big swings. A grand slam by John Pearson in the 3rd inning cut the deficit to two runs. Seth Dardar gave LSU the lead for good with a three-run blast over the right field bleachers in the sixth inning.
The seven-run deficit is the largest overcome by LSU since 2024, when the Tigers rallied back from an 8-0 deficit to beat South Carolina in 10 innings in the SEC Tournament.
This was not a clean baseball game. The two teams combined to walk 21 hitters, with four hit batters and seven wild pitches. It took four hours and 21 minutes to complete, but the Tiger fans who endured this slog went home happy.
Tiger hitters roar back: On a day when LSU needed its best offensive performance of the season, they came through with an SEC-high 17 runs. The Tigers also banged out 16 hits, which is also the most in a conference game. LSU also took advantage of 11 walks and 2 hit batters.
There were three walks in the inning before Pearson hit his grand slam. Two hitters walked before Dardar blasted his 3rd home run of the season.
Chris Stanfield led the hit parade with 4 hits. Derek Curiel is driving the ball the other way again, as he had three hits, including a home run, and he drove in three runs from the cleanup spot.
Big weekend from Seth Dardar: The senior from Mandeville was really struggling heading into this series against Kentucky. He was 5 for his last 41 before a bloop double down the left field line on Friday night. Dardar finished with three doubles on Friday, three walks on Saturday, and three more hits on Sunday.
His home run to give LSU the lead went over the Diamond Deck in right field. Dardar also had an epic bat flip that resulted in a warning to the LSU dugout for excessive celebration.
The Tigers needed someone’s bat to heat up, and Dardar came through this weekend and did a good job defensively, too.
Gavin Guidry’s rough start: Guidry got the start as Cooper Moore is sidelined with a triceps injury, and the junior from Lake Charles could not find the strike zone. In 1.1 innings, he walked four, hit a batter, and gave up six runs.
It was Guidry’s second start, and in both starts, he’s given up multiple runs in the first inning. We all know that Guidry enters a game high on adrenaline, but maybe that emotion doesn’t work when he’s starting a game.
Grant Fontenot finishes strong: LSU pitching has now allowed double-digit runs in three of its nine SEC games this year. But the way Grant Fontenot finished this game was encouraging. The senior from Lafayette threw two scoreless innings and struck out two. His ERA is down to 1.93. Expect to see him in more high-leverage situations.
What’s next: LSU will conclude its nine-game homestand by hosting Southern on Tuesday night, and then it’s on the road for the next two weekends.
A 4-5 SEC record looks much better than 3-6. The Tigers will be in Knoxville for a three-game series that starts on Friday.
It’s not good in Knoxville right now. Tennessee is 18-10 overall, 3-6 in the SEC. They were swept by Vanderbilt, and the Commodores won in walk-off fashion in all three contests.