BATON ROUGE, La. — First baseman Brad Hawpe and catcher Ryan Jorgensen launched home runs to highlight a five-run LSU eighth inning as the Tigers defeated Meiji University of Japan, 10-7, Wednesday night in Alex Box Stadium.
The game was an exhibition contest and does not count in LSU’s regular-season record. The Tigers open Southeastern Conference play at 7 p.m. Friday versus Georgia.
The game was tied 5-5 entering the bottom of the eighth inning when LSU erupted for five runs. Jorgensen led off the inning with a solo blast to give the Tigers a 6-5 lead. Pinch hitter Tommy
Morel followed with a single and Mike Fontenot reached on a fielder’s choice before shortstop Ryan Theriot doubled them home. Hawpe unloaded a two-run homer to right field which scored Theriot and increased the margin to 10-5.
Meiji struck back for a pair of runs in the ninth, but LSU reliever Hunter Gomez retired the final two batters to earn the save.
LSU reliever Shane Youman earned the victory as he worked 1 1/3innings, allowing two runs on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
Meiji reliever Atsushi Okamoto was charged with the loss, as he surrendered five runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings.