The BYU baseball team shut down No. 2 LSU 9-4 at their home field in Baton Rouge on Saturday night, causing an upsetting first loss for the Tigers.
The Cougars were ecstatic about the win after the team lost three of their four games on Friday and Saturday.
“Against all odds, we came out with a great mindset and played a near-perfect game,” coach Mike Littlewood said. “We played great defense, pitched well and I knew we were going to find some success the way we had been playing.'
BYU pitcher Mark Anderson throws a pitch during a game last season. (Photo by Universe Photographer)
Second-baseman Brennon Anderson hit a home run in the sixth inning with players on the bases, scoring three runs for the team.
“Our hitters made great adjustments from game one against LSU,” Littlewood said.
The Cougars played a tough game against the Tigers on Thursday as well, despite the loss. BYU pressured LSU throughout the game, but gave up two runs in the ninth inning for the loss.
“I felt good with our mentality and was happy with our approach, but we need to find a way to finish games and do a better job putting the pressure on every single inning,' Littlewood said. “Give LSU credit, they stepped up when they needed to, but the way we were playing (Thursday), we could have beaten anyone in the country.”
BYU played Southern Louisiana University on Friday afternoon and gained a 1-0 lead in the top of the eighth inning, but SLU scored four runs in the bottom of the same inning. BYU lost the game 4-1.
The Cougars also lost a rematch against Southern Louisiana on Saturday, holding the Lions to a 3-2 loss.
Saturday evening's victory over No. 2 LSU overshadowed the Cougars' losses as it was their first upset over a ranked team since 2011.
The Cougars will travel to Seattle. this week to play Seattle University, then they will bring the game home to Miller Park this weekend in a three-game stand against Creighton University.