By Ryan Rogers
LSU Sports Information
BATON ROUGE — LSU exploded offensively for the second straight game on its way to defeating Louisiana-Monroe, 21-0, Saturday afternoon in regional tournament play.
With the victory, LSU advanced to the Championship game where they will play the winner of Louisiana-Monroe and New Orleans Sunday at 1 p.m.
Coach Skip Bertman was pleased with his team’s performance.
“We hit well and pitched like the boys (LSU players) said and held together most of the game. We didn?t get sloppy. How you play after the runs are scores is important too,” said Bertman.
The Tigers pounded out 14 runs in the third inning to break the game open. UL-Monroe pitcher Mike Wombacher walked Cedrick Harris and Brad Cresse to start the inning. Hawpe then singled and Barbier hit a double down the left field line scoring Harris and Cresse. Fontenot followed with an RBI single scoring Hawpe. Thibodeaux and Pontiff both singled. Thibodeaux?s single scored Barbier. Witten was then hit by a pitch that was followed by singles from Theriot and Harris. Thibodeaux and Pontiff came around to score in the process. Brad Hawpe doubled to clear the bases and score Theriot and Harris. Then, Barbier and Fontenot drew walks and Thibodeaux hit a bases clearing three-RBI double to left center field to cap off the scoring. LSU had 19 batters in the inning.
Brad Cresse had a stellar performance at the plate. He hit three home runs and compiled six RBI.
“I feel like I got my swing back. I?m confident up there and I?m being selectively aggressive,” said Cresse.
Brad Hawpe?s double puts him one short the NCAA record for doubles in a season. He currently has 35 doubles.
Cresse put runs on the board early with a towering two-run blast to center field. LSU led 2-0 after one inning.
The Tigers scored four runs in the fourth inning. Cresse?s second home run scored he and Harris, who had reached base on a walk. Hawpe was hit by a pitch and Fontenot doubled giving the Tigers runners at second and third base. Thibodeaux came through again and hit his second double to score Hawpe and Fontenot. LSU led 20-0 after four innings.
The Tigers got its final run of the game when Cresse hit his third home run, a solo shot to right center field.
Brian Tallet pitched six innings giving up six hits, no runs and two walks.
LSU had 19 total hits in the game.
UL-Monroe starting pitcher Mike Wombacher pitched two innings, gave up nine hits, nine runs (all earned) and two walks. UL-Monroe relievers Brian Shriner, Ian Giammanco and Herschel Stoner combined to give up 12 runs, 10 hits and four walks.