METAIRIE, La. — Reliever Kyle Kessel pitched five scoreless innings Wednesday night to lead the New Orleans Zephyrs to a 5-2 exhibition victory over LSU at Zephyr Field.
A sell-out crowd of 10,353 witnessed the game between nation’s fourth-ranked college baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.
Kessel, who entered the game in the top of the fifth inning with LSU leading, 2-1, allowed just two hits while recording no walks and eight strikeouts.
LSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when second baseman Mike Fontenot doubled and scored on a double by first baseman Bryan Moore.
The Zephyrs tied the game in the bottom of the first when center fielder Omar Ramirez scored from third base on a wild pitch by LSU starter Billy Brian.
LSU regained the lead in the second inning on center fielder David Raymer’s RBI single. The Tigers held the 2-1 advantage until the bottom of the fifth, when the Zephyrs plated three runs. Ramirez provided an RBI double and shortstop Adam Everett added a run-scoring single to highlight the rally.
The Zephyrs increased their lead to 5-2 in the eighth on a solo homer by first baseman Alan Zinter against LSU reliever Roy Corcoran.
Brian was charged with the loss, as he worked 4.2 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
LSU, which has a 22-8-1 regular-season record, resumes Southeastern Conference play this weekend at South Carolina. The Tigers, with an 8-4 league mark, enter the series in second place in the SEC standings, one game behind Ole Miss (9-3).
The Zephyrs open their 2001 Pacific Coast League regular season Thursday by playing host to Salt Lake City.