HOOVER, Ala. — LSU held Arkansas to one hit and the Tigers beat the Razorbacks 3-1 in a SEC Tournament semifinal game Saturday at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Ala.
LSU (51-9) scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning to take the lead from Arkansas. Christian Ibarra hit a RBI single that scored Mason Katz and Raph Rhymes scored on a RBI fielder’s choice. Both runs were charged to Arkansas reliever Brandon Moore.
Ibarra recorded his second RBI in the seventh inning when he hit a RBI double that scored Jared Foster. Ibarra, the LSU third baseman, went 3-for-4 at the plate, including two RBIs and two doubles.
Arkansas (37-20) took the first lead of the game in the fourth inning, despite not recording a hit until the sixth inning, with the help of a couple of LSU errors. Jake Wise walked to begin the inning, advanced to second on a throwing error, was bunted to third and scored on a fielding error by Mason Katz.
Tyler Spoon recorded Arkansas’ only hit in the sixth with a lead-off single. The next batter, Jacob Mahan, hit into a double play, however.
Randall Fant started the game on the mound for the Razorbacks and tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings, walking three batters and allowing three hits before Moore took over. Moore (1-4) took the loss, allowing two runs in just one-third of an inning.
Michael Gunn allowed the final Tigers’ run. Chris Oliver, Trent Daniel, Trey Killian and Jalen Beeks all made relief appearances as well.
Freshman Hunter Newman started the game for LSU and allowed the Razorbacks’ only run, which was unearned, in four innings of work. The Tigers used five pitchers, including Will LaMarche (2-0), who earned the win by tossing two scoreless innings.
LSU closer Chris Cotton earned his 15th save of the season by pitching a perfect ninth.
The loss to LSU eliminated Arkansas from the SEC Tournament. The Tigers will play in the championship game on Sunday.
The Razorbacks will find out whether or not they will be hosting a NCAA Regional at 8 p.m. on Sunday. The full field of 64 will be announced at 11 a.m. on Monday.