Home runs galore in LSU's sweep of Samford - Louisiana Sports

Home runs galore in LSU’s sweep of Samford – Louisiana Sports

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LSU defeated Samford 23-1 in a 14-inning baseball exhibition scrimmage Saturday at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Miss.

The matchup featured two seven-inning contests, with the Tigers securing an 11-0 victory in the first game followed by a 12-1 win in the second. The two teams return to the diamond Sunday for another pair of seven-inning games starting at 1 p.m.

Power Surge in the Opener

LSU’s offense set an aggressive tone early during Saturday’s first game. Outfielder Jason Wachs went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs, while teammate Angel Laya launched a grand slam to drive in five runs.

Pitching dominated the other side of the scorecard for the Tigers. William Schmidt pitched two scoreless innings without allowing a hit and struck out four batters. Landon Hood followed with three hitless innings and three strikeouts, and Lucas Nawrocki worked two scoreless frames with five strikeouts.

Freshman Bats Deliver in Game Two

The offensive momentum carried directly into the second contest. Freshman Dominic Santarelli clubbed a three-run home run, and fellow freshman Dylan Minnatee connected for a grand slam.

Santarelli, a Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin native, arrived in Baton Rouge rated as the nation’s No. 12 high school outfielder and the top player in his home state by Perfect Game. Minnatee, hailing from Elk Grove, California, was ranked by the same scouting service as the country’s No. 8 high school first baseman.

Lucas Nawrocki contributed offensively with a triple and two RBIs. On the mound, Cooper Sides, Danny Lachenmayer, and Cooper Williams combined to shut down Samford’s lineup, allowing just one hit and zero earned runs across the remaining frames.

The Tigers are scheduled to open the 2027 regular season on Friday, February 19, hosting Long Island at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.

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