HOUSTON, Tx. – Eleventh-ranked LSU traveled to Houston, Texas, this weekend for the Shriners Classic. Game one of the Tigers’ trip was against the undefeated Texas Longhorns, but with Cole Henry on the mound, LSU was in good hands.
The sophomore pitcher gave up four hits and three runs, but through six innings, Henry threw ten strikeouts, which was enough for the Tigers’ offense to take over.
The Longhorns did score off of DJ Petrinsky’s one-run homer and ran in three total runs between the third and fourth innings, but in the bottom of the sixth inning with one on, Daniel Cabrera went yard, knocking a two-run homer into the right-field seats.
LSU took a 4-3 lead to end the sixth, which was also the end of Henry’s night. Jaden Hill relieved Henry to start the seventh, and the pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts en route to the win.
“I can’t remember the last time we struck 16 batters out in a game, struck our opponent out 16 times. When you run arms like Cole Henry and Jaden Hill out there, it’s pretty exciting to watch. That was a fun time to be on this side of the field having those two guys throw for you,” head coach Paul Mainieri said.
The Tigers continue the Shriners Classic on Saturday against Baylor. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.