LSU beats McNeese

LSU coach Paul Mainieri earned his 1,200th career win in a 10-3 victory against McNeese State Wednesday night at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
Mainieri, who has a career record of 1,200-633-8 in 32 seasons as a college head coach, is one of only nine active NCAA Division I head coaches to reach the 1,200-win mark.
“It’s always nice to reach a milestone like 1,200 wins, but I didn’t win the games. All of the great players I’ve had the pleasure of coaching won the games,” Mainieri said in a news release. “I’ve worked with so many tremendous players and coaches over the past 32 years, and it’s a tribute to them as well.
“I was just happy to get a win tonight, because it’s been awhile since we’ve won a game,” he added. “I thought we played a good all-around ball game tonight that will hopefully give us some momentum heading into the Mississippi State series.”
No. 9 LSU (21-8-1) returns to action this weekend when its hosts Mississippi State (20-10). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
In Wednesday’s win, shortstop Alex Bregman launched a three-run homer, and designated hitter Sean McMullen unloaded a two-run dinger to pace the Tigers’ 10-hit attack.
“Both Alex and Sean have been going through a rough stretch at the plate lately, and it was great to see them swing with confidence and hit the ball hard,” Mainieri said.
McNeese State got off to a fast start with two runs in the second inning. Clay Payne hit a two-out single up the middle to plate Connor Lloyd. After a walk, Cameron Toole singled to center field to plate Matt Gallier.
McMullen responded in the bottom of the third with a two-run home run that carried over the left field wall to tie the game at 2.
Lucas Quary regained the lead for the Cowboys in the fourth when he hit a solo home run to make it 3-2.
Bregman hit a three-run home run to left field in the sixth inning to make it a 5-3 game. LSU then erupted for five runs in the sixth inning to take control.
Tyler Moore and Andrew Stevenson started the inning with back-to-back singles. With runners on the corners, Christian Ibarra placed a bunt down the first base line for a sacrifice to score Moore.
With the bases loaded, Chris Sciambra hit a single to left-center field to score Stevenson and Ibarra.
Kade Scivicque followed with a two-run RBI single up the middle.
Kurt McCune (1-0), the fourth of eight LSU pitchers, earned the win for the Tigers by working one scoreless inning with one strikeout.
McNeese starter Michael Desabrais (0-1) was charged the loss as he allowed five runs on three hits in six innings with two walks and two strikeouts.