Thatcher Hurd bites the Butler Bulldogs with run-rule shutout to cap off perfect weekend for LSU baseball
Thatcher Hurd had his best start of the young season so far as he was able to use every pitch in his repertoire against Butler on Monday night.
LSU once again used the long ball to carry them to a big, 11-0 victory over the Bulldogs. The Tigers’ offense came into the game averaging 15 runs per game, and this night was no different.
Dylan Crews got the party started in the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot to center field and the rout was on from there. In the bottom of the second, LSU scored six runs as Brady Neal hit a solo homer, Paxton Kling scored on a fielding error, Jobert scored on a Tre Morgan RBI double, Gavin Dugas scored on an RBI groundout from Crews, Morgan scored on a Tommy White RBI single and White scored on a Neal flyout to make it 7-0 LSU after two innings.
Dead Center Dylan Crews 🚀@__dc4__ | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/AIpqXm4KrX
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 7, 2023
Rookie Sensation @bradyneal16 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/VhpTkx2EMa
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 7, 2023
LSU tacked on a couple more runs in the fourth and fifth innings as Kling hit a long homer down the left field line in the fourth and Josh Pearson scored on a Crews groundout to make it 9-0 after five innings.
That's Pax@PaxtonKling | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/LGF5SKkyEx
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 7, 2023
Hurd’s night finished after he went six innings allowing three hits and no runs on 11 strikeouts and one walk. It was his most dominant performance of the season so far. He carried the momentum he gained from the Texas game into this one and it showed.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Ben Nippolt hit a two-RBI double to center to increase the lead to 11-0, giving LSU a shot at another run-rule victory. Blake Money came in to pitch the top of the seventh inning to close out the game. He worked a clean inning with two strikeouts and a flyout to secure the win.
With the win over Butler, LSU moves to 11-1 on the year. The Tigers will have a day off tomorrow before welcoming the Lamar Cardinals to town on Wednesday night. The first pitch for that contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.
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