Angel Cano shined for Little Rock, driving in five runs in a decisive 10-4 victory over LSU during the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional at Alex Box Stadium on Sunday night. This victory sets the stage for a rematch between the teams in the regional championship game, scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on Monday, where the winner will advance to face West Virginia in the upcoming NCAA Super Regional.
Tickets for the highly anticipated match are available, and fans can catch the action on the LSU Sports Radio Network and ESPN2.
With this win, Little Rock’s record improved to 27-33 for the season, while LSU fell to 45-15. Earlier on Sunday, Little Rock secured its spot in the championship by overcoming Dallas Baptist in an elimination game, winning 8-6.
LSU coach Jay Johnson praised Little Rock’s performance, emphasizing the challenge of competing against strong teams. He noted that the Trojans consistently showcased resilient at-bats, which contributed to their success throughout the day. As Johnson focuses on the next game, he expressed confidence in his players’ ability to rebound and perform strongly after a setback.
Cano’s impressive performance included a two-run homer and a three-run double, allowing Little Rock to recover from an early 3-0 deficit by scoring six runs in the second and third innings.
Brenden Katz, contributing in the pitching department, secured the win for Little Rock with 1.2 scoreless innings. Malcolm Brown earned his first save of the season, effectively limiting LSU’s offense for 5.1 innings. For LSU, Chase Shores took the loss despite entering the game with a strong record.
In a show of resilience, LSU’s freshman left-hander Cooper Williams delivered an admirable relief performance, pitching 3.2 scoreless innings while striking out four batters.
As both teams prepare for another thrilling encounter, the excitement of postseason baseball remains high. This matchup promises to highlight the determination and skill of both teams as they compete for a place in the Super Regional.