Winning with drama

As the LSU baseball team came off of the field in their 5-2 regional championship win over Rice, one thought comes to mind; just a typical win for the Tigers this season.
LSU has found a way to give their fans anxiety attacks over the last 20 games. In those games, the Tigers are 17-3 and have had to come from behind in 21 of their contests this season alone.
It was no different Tuesday night, as Rice jumped out 2-0 and carried that lead into the seventh inning.
But, as LSU has done all season long, the Tigers found some offense late in the game and burned Rice for three runs in the top of the seventh and two more runs in the top of the eighth to secure their 22nd NCAA Regional title in 29 all-time appearances.
Most observers point to LSU first baseman Greg Deichmann’s two-run blast in the top of the seventh as the pivotal point in the game. With Deichmann’s 417-foot bomb, LSU took a 3-2 lead.
However, according to head coach Paul Mainieri, it was the relief work of Jared Poche that was the key to the win.
“The game turned around when Jared Poche’ entered the game,” said Mainieri. “He threw six innings probably about as well as he’s ever thrown. He’s pitched a lot of great games for us, but I don’t know if he’s ever had a more important one and a better one.”
Poche came in, relieving starting pitcher Jake Latz in the bottom of the second. Latz struggled mightly, only lasting one and one-third innings.
With the win, LSU will now host Coastal Carolina in the super regionals, The best-of-three series begins Saturday. Game one will begin at 8 p.m.
Coastal Carolina defeated North Carolina St. 7-5 in their regional championship game.