The LSU baseball team came into Sunday’s SEC Championship having won seven straight games. The Tigers proved to be the tournament’s hottest team, winning yet another game Sunday afternoon. LSU defeated the Florida Gators 2-0 in a fight to the finish to win the SEC Tournament Championship.
LSU head coach Paul Maineri was proud of his team’s performance.
“Beating Florida was a tremendous accomplishment from our team. That was their fifth game in five days…The key to the game was our pitching. The phenomenal job that Allan Dunn did calling the game. I learned one thing today. It’s hard to lose when you don’t give up any runs to the other team.”
Florida starter Karsten Whitson had one of his best outings of the season giving up just three hits in six scoreless innings of work. Whitson was named to the SEC All-Tournament team following the game.
On the other side of Sunday’s pitching match up was LSU’s Alden Cartwright. Cartwright allowed just one hit in his four innings on the mound. LSU relievers combined to do the rest, blanking the Gators the rest of the way.
With the game knotted at 0-0 in the eighth, LSU’s Sean McMullen launched a two out full count home run to right field giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Florida’s Ryan Harris was given the loss after allowing the two run shot, exiting the game with a 3-2 record.
Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan was impressed with the showing from both teams.
“It was a great game. It’s how a championship game should be. It was close on both sides. I thought both teams played outstanding defense. It just came down to one pitch. I’m really pleased with how we played this week. We lost that first game Wednesday to Kentucky, but we battled back to get to the final game. Tip your hat to LSU. It’s good to be done with the SEC schedule, and we can play somebody else. We’re looking forward to next week. We’ll get back to Gainesville and practice on Tuesday.”
The Gators never got it going on the offensive end, totaling just two hits on the day. Even with the loss Florida is predicted to be a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. UF was selected as one of the 16 Regional host sites for the tournament. The tournament field will be announced today at 12 P.M.
Sound from Florida assistant Brad Weitzel can be heard below