Jared Jones’ early go-ahead homer assists send out LSU to CWS
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)– Jared Jones struck a consent three-run homer before rain suspended play Monday night, freshman reliever Casan Evans pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings after play resumed Tuesday, and LSU advanced to its College World Series bracket last with a 9-5 triumph over UCLA.The Tigers(50-15)next play Wednesday night versus the winner of Tuesday night’s elimination game in between Arkansas and the Bruins (48-17). LSU, opting for its second championship game in three years, requires another win to reach the best-of-three finals beginning Saturday.Advertisement LSU was up 5-3 at the end of the 3rd inning Monday night when the
game was suspended following a 2-hour, 53-minute delay.The Tigers had Evans (5-1)take control of for starter Anthony Eyanson when play resumed. Evans, who pitched the ninth inning of a 4-1 win over Arkansas on Saturday, restricted UCLA to four singles and started out five. “Coach (Jay)Johnson had informed me that once we left the hold-up that I would be on the mound, and then it got rolled over to today, “Evans stated.”Simply went back to the hotel and got ready for today. Awakened early. The frame of mind remains the exact same anytime I come in the game, if I start or if I close. I was just going out there and doing my finest to assist my team win. “UCLA had 2 runners on base with one out when Evans turned the game over to Cooper Williams in the eighth. The Tigers had to make it through some anxious moments when Williams walked the
bases packed and the Bruins pulled to 8-5 on Payton Brennan’s groundout and Blake Balsz’s infield single. Another walk reloaded the bases, prompting Johnson to call on Chase Shores, who required one pitch to get an inning-ending groundout.Advertisement Jones’RBI single in the ninth gave the Tigers a four-run cushion, and Shores pitched a tidy ninth to send out the Bruins to their first loss in seven NCAA Competition games.”Just looked like we were swimming upstream a little bit most of the game
,”UCLA coach John Savage said. “Extension game. We set up 3 and after that they set up four. Then they come out and do a great job with 2 outs in the fourth, and they got 2 there. And it appeared like we were simply tracking a little bit from the mound, mostly.”It was challenging for Savage to manage his pitching. With an area in the bracket last at stake, he didn’t hold back and utilized 8 pitchers. A loss suggested the Bruins had to play once again in about 6 hours, so pitching depth was compromised.”When you’re in the winners ‘bracket, you have actually got to do everything you can to
stay in the winners’bracket,”Savage stated. “Anyone who informs you otherwise does not understand what they’re talking about or has never ever coached. However I think we have some guys, clearly. We have about 5 or 6 guys that didn’t toss either yesterday or today. We’ll choose one, we’ll select some guys out of that lot.”Advertisement The Tigers took a 7-3 lead in the fourth against freshman Wylan Moss, who gave up three hits and a walk and taped only 2 outs.UCLA starter Landon Stump( 6-2 )had actually gone to the mound for the bottom of the first Monday night with a 3-0 lead, but it vaporized when Jones’three-run homer put the Tigers ahead 4-3. Jones’21st homer of the season hardly cleared the fence
in best center and was the 63rd in his career, third most in program history. “Offensively we simply wanted to start
the game on the best note,”Jones stated.”We speak about winning every inning. Obviously they put up a 3 spot in the leading half, so to win the inning we have actually got to put up at least 4.
And it so took place.”___ AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports