COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kevin Gausman pitched his second consecutive complete game and Jordy Snikeris and Mason Katz hit home runs as LSU defeated two-time defending national champion South Carolina 5-2 in the opener of a critical Southeastern Conference series Friday afternoon at Columbia Stadium.
The Tigers (41-13, 18-10) and the Gamecocks (38-14, 17-10) will meet againt at 6 p.m. CDT Friday (Cox Sporst Television). Right-hander Aaron Nola will start for LSU.
Gausman (9-1) limited South Carolina to five hits and two runs, walking two and striking out six one week after he pitched a complete-game two-hitter against Vanderbilt.
Katz’s team-leading 11th homer of the season gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead in the fifth and Snikeris’ second homer of the season, with a runner aboard, puched the lead to 5-1 in the top of the ninth.
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