A Sean Ochinko three-run homer gave LSU the lead in the fifth, and a Ryan Schimpf two-run blast in the eighth gave the Tigers a couple of key insurance runs as top-ranked LSU knocked off #5 Virginia 9-5 Saturday night in the College World Series opener for both teams.
LSU (52-16) advances in winner’s bracket play to a 7 p.m. Monday matchup with Arkansas, a 10-6 winner over Cal State-Fullerton earlier Saturday. UVa. (48-14-1) will face Fullerton in an elimination game in the double-elimination tournament at 2 p.m. Monday.
Matt Packer (3-5) took the loss in relief of starter Danny Hultzen, who was lifted after giving up three runs on a personal season-high seven hits in three innings.
The Cavs scored two in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by Scott Proscia and an RBI single by Kyle Werman, who went 4-for-5 on the night from the nine spot in the batting order.
The Ochinko homer gave LSU a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the inning. UVa. catcher Franco Valdes hit a solo homer in the seventh to bring Virginia to within one.
Schmpf’s home run highlighted a three-run eighth for LSU that broke the game open.
Virginia left 14 runners on base.
– Story by Chris Graham
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