Courtesy of Vanderbilt Sports Information Department
NASHVILLE — LSU left-hander Brian Tallet pitched a two-hit shut out to blank the Vanderbilt baseball team, 6-0, in the first game of the three-game series in Nashville, Tenn.
The game was scoreless until the Tigers were able to tally two runs in the top of the eighth inning.
Tallet had a perfect game in the first 7 2/3 innings he pitched until giving up a walk to VU center fielder Karl Nonemaker.
Tallet (5-2) earned the win and struck out 11 Commodores batters as 18th-ranked LSU improved to 14-8 on the year, 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference. VU starter Andy Beal (2-3) took the loss after scattering seven hits and allowing two runs in 7 1/3 innings.
Vanderbilt fell to 10-10 overall, 0-4 in the SEC. LSU improved to 14-8, 2-2 in the SEC.
Vanderbilt had its best chance to score in the game in the seventh when Tallet would allow his first walk of the game. With two outs Nonemaker walked. Catcher Andy Kropf was one of only two Commodores to get a hit off of Tallet with a single to right center. With runners on first and third, VU short stop Ulises Cabrera left runners stranded when he struck out looking.
LSU got on the board first with a two-run eighth inning. Mike Fontenot doubled down the left field line. Ryan Theriot followed with a triple down the right field line allowing Fontenot to score. LSU took the 2-0 lead when Brad Cresse hit a RBI single to left field.
In the ninth with two outs, LSU capitalized on a VU fielding error by third baseman Ashley Freeman.
The Tigers would go on to score four unearned runs to secure the 6-0 win. The Tigers scored on an RBI single by Fontenot for the third run of the game. With bases loaded, VU reliever Jeff Little waked Cresse.
LSU’s last two runs of the game were courtesy of Brad Hawpe, who singled in two runs for the 6-0 lead.
VU right fielder Kevin Geshke led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left field, but Tallet and LSU’s defense shut out the Commodores the rest of the inning for the win.
Theriot led LSU at the plate going 3-for-5 with a double and triple. Cresse and Hawpe each had two runs batted in.
The two teams continue the series tomorrow, March 18, at 2 p.m.