BATON ROUGE — A seven-run third inning from the LSU bats and six solid frames from freshman right-hander Kurt McCune propelled the 13th-ranked Tigers (6-0) to a 14-3 victory over Holy Cross (0-2) in Game 2 of the weekend series Saturday in Alex Box Stadium.
Game 3 will begin Sunday at noon CST. Live video, audio and stats may be accessed in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net. The contest can also be heard on the affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network.
LSU will start senior right-hander Ben Alsup (1-0, 0.00) on the mound.
McCune (2-0) earned his second career victory Saturday as he surrendered only four hits and one earned run and struck out three. The Norco, La., native has allowed only one run in 12 innings of work thus far this season.
“I really like this kid (McCune),” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “He didn’t pitch quite as well as he did last weekend, but he gave us a tremendous effort and he showed a lot of poise in working out of some jams. He’s got a very bright future here.”
Designated hitter Raph Rhymes continued his hot streak at the plate, batting 3-for-5 with two more RBI. The former Junior College National Player of the Year has nine RBI in the past three games.
Shortstop Austin Nola and second baseman JaCoby Jones each blasted home runs and recorded two RBI, while right fielder Mason Katz, first baseman Alex Edward and catcher Ty Ross each contributed with two RBI apiece.
“Frankly, I thought we came out pretty flat today,” Mainieri said. “I would classify this as a methodical win, though I didn’t think we played particularly well. It’s a testament to the balance in our lineup that we still scored 14 runs despite not having a great day at the plate.”
LSU struck early with three runs in the bottom of the first to go up, 3-0. Following a lead-off double by left fielder Trey Watkins, Rhymes drove him in on a two-bagger of his own. Center fielder Mikie Mahtook and Nola also brought in runs on RBI grounders.
Holy Cross cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the second after catcher Steven Tkowski connected on a two-run homer to left.
The Tiger bats uncorked a big inning in the bottom of the third, scoring seven runs to take a commanding 10-2 advantage. After Edward drew a bases-loaded walk and Mahtook scored on a wild pitch, Ross notched a pair of RBI on a base hit to center.
Jones followed Ross with a two-run dinger over the left field wall, and Rhymes added LSU’s 10th run with an RBI double.
Nola delivered a solo shot to left in the bottom of the fourth to give the Tigers an 11-2 advantage.
In the sixth inning, Katz drilled a ball over Holy Cross center fielder Brandon Cipolla for a two-run triple, the first of his career. Edward followed with an RBI single to put the Tigers up, 14-2.
Left-hander Chris Cotton and righty Daniel Bradshaw each fired a scoreless frame out of the bullpen, while freshman Joe Broussard gave up only one run in his inning of relief.
Holy Cross starter Matt Croglio (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing 11 runs (only three earned) on seven hits in four innings.
LSU 14, Holy Cross 3 (Feb 26, 2011 at Baton Rouge, La.)
Holy Cross………. 020 000 010 – 3 6 3 (0-2)
LSU………………. 307 103 00X – 14 13 1 (6-0)
Pitchers: Holy Cross – Matt Croglio; Chris Kono(5); Brendan McCrea(8) and Steven Tkowski.
LSU – Kurt McCune; Chris Cotton(7); Joe Broussard(8); Daniel Bradshaw(9) and Ty Ross.
Win-Kurt McCune(2-0) Loss-Matt Croglio(0-1) T-2:29 A-10970
HR HC – Steven Tkowski (1).
HR LSU – Austin Nola (1); JaCoby Jones (2).
Actual attendance: 7,484