The LSU Tigers secured a comfortable 8-2 win over the North Alabama Lions on a sunny afternoon at Alex Box Stadium. The victory was highlighted by a dominant performance from starting pitcher Anthony Eyanson, who struck out 15 batters in seven innings of work.
Eyanson, a sophomore right-hander, was nearly unhittable, allowing just two hits and one walk while throwing 102 pitches. His 15 strikeouts were a career-high and tied for the second-most in a single game in LSU history.
“I felt great out there today,” Eyanson said in a post-game interview. “My fastball was working well, and my slider was sharp. I was able to keep the North Alabama hitters off balance and make some big pitches when I needed to.”
The Tigers’ offense provided Eyanson with plenty of support, scoring eight runs on 11 hits. Center fielder Dylan Crews led the way, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. First baseman Tre’ Morgan added two hits and two RBIs, while shortstop Jordan Thompson chipped in with two hits and a run scored.
LSU took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring two runs on a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly. The Tigers added two more runs in the third inning, courtesy of a two-run single by Crews.
North Alabama’s lone runs came in the top of the fifth inning, when designated hitter Davis Elliott hit a two-run homer off Eyanson. However, the Tigers’ starter was unfazed, striking out the side in the sixth inning and retiring the final six batters he faced.
“Anthony was outstanding today,” said LSU head coach Jay Johnson. “He had great stuff and was able to command the strike zone. He’s been working hard to develop his slider, and it was a big pitch for him today.”
The win improved LSU’s record to 15-5 overall, while North Alabama fell to 10-10. The Tigers will look to continue their winning ways on Friday, when they host the Auburn Tigers in the opening game of a three-game SEC series.
In addition to Eyanson’s impressive outing, the Tigers also received strong performances from their bullpen. Relievers Paul Gervase and Eric Reyzelman combined to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out three batters and allowing just one hit.
“Today was a great team effort,” Johnson said. “Anthony set the tone with his start, and our offense was able to provide him with plenty of support. Our bullpen also did a great job of closing out the game. We’re excited to build on this win and keep moving forward.”
In conclusion, Anthony Eyanson’s dominant performance on the mound led the LSU Tigers to a comfortable 8-2 win over the North Alabama Lions. Eyanson’s 15 strikeouts tied for the second-most in a single game in LSU history, and his outing was supported by a strong effort from the Tigers’ offense and bullpen. With the win, LSU improved to 15-5 overall and will look to continue its winning ways on Friday against Auburn.