TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Fourth-ranked LSU launched three home runs Saturday night and left-hander Clay Dirks earned his seventh win in seven decisions as the Tigers defeated Alabama, 11-2, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
LSU (21-7 overall, 5-3 SEC) moved into a five-way tie for first place in the SEC standings with Alabama (21-9, 5-3), Auburn, Ole Miss and Florida.
LSU and Alabama will conclude their weekend series at 2 p.m. Sunday. Junior left-hander Greg Smith (4-1) will start on the mound for the Tigers, while the Crimson Tide’s starter has yet to be determined.
Sunday’s game can be heard on the LSU Sports Network (WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge) and on the Internet at www.LSUsports.net. The game will be televised statewide by the Jumbo Sports Network (Cable Ch. 13 in Baton Rouge).
Ryan Patterson and Blake Gill each unloaded three-run homers and Dustin Weaver belted a two-run shot to pace LSU’s 11-hit attack, as the Tigers overcame an early 2-0 deficit and handed the Tide its worst loss of the season.
Alabama grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning when left fielder Gabe Scott lifted a Dirks pitch over the center-field wall for a two-run homer.
LSU tied the game in the third when Weaver, the Tigers’ catcher, deposited a Brent Carter pitch over the left-field wall for a two-run blast.
The Tigers extended the lead to 5-2 in the fifth when Patterson lined a three-run shot to right field for his 13th homer of the year and his 11th homer in LSU’s last 12 games.
Gill’s three-run blast, his third of the season, highlighted a four-run eighth that gave the Tigers an 11-2 advantage.
Dirks (7-0) worked five innings, limiting the Tide to two runs on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Relievers Jason Determann and Jordan Faircloth combined to hold Alabama scoreless over the last four innings.
Carter (4-2) was charged with the loss, as he surrendered six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 6.2 innings with three walks and four strikeouts.
LSU 11, Alabama 2 (Apr 02, 2005 at Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
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LSU……………….. 002 030 240 – 11 11 3 (21-7, 5-3 SEC)
Alabama…………. 200 000 000 – 2 5 3 (21-9, 5-3 SEC)
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Pitchers: LSU – Dirks; Determann(6); Faircloth(8). Alabama – B. Carter; Copeland(7); Downs(8).
Win-Dirks(7-0) Loss-B. Carter(4-2) T-3:00 A-4518
HR LSU – Gill (3); Patterson (13); Weaver (3).
HR UA – Scott (2).