LSU defeated UK 10-0 in seven innings last night to secure a spot in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Wildcats will play South Carolina at 4 p.m. today in an elimination game. The winner of that game will play LSU on Saturday in the single-elimination portion of the tournament.
UK starter Sean Hjelle struck out a career-high 10 batters but allowed nine earned runs. One other run that scored was unearned. The Tigers collected 12 hits in the game.
The Wildcats hit a few balls hard early off LSU starter Alex Lange but none found a hole. Lange pitched the distance for LSU, allowing six hits and striking out seven.
UK will send Justin Lewis (6-3, 3.50 ERA) to the mound against South Carolina. The Gamecocks will counter with righthander Adam Hill (3-6, 3.30 ERA). Lewis pitched 4.1 innings against South Carolina during the regular season. He allowed seven hits, struck out four and allowed four earned runs in UK's 9-4 win in April.
The Wildcats defeated South Carolina 7-2 on Wednesday. South Carolina bounced back and destroyed Missouri 10-2 on Thursday.
