McNeese State collected 13 hits and scored one run in seven of nine innings Tuesday night to defeat ninth-ranked LSU, 7-0, in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.  

McNeese left-hander Austin Sanders (3-2) earned the win, allowing only one hit in six innings pitched with five walks and two strikeouts.

"I certainly don’t want to diminish what McNeese did, because they have a very good team that is playing a very high level right now,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “The McNeese coach obviously had his team well prepared, and our team didn’t match their intensity, and that’s my responsibility. We’re looking forward to getting back out here tomorrow and competing with a lot more energy than what our fans saw tonight.”

Redshirt freshman left-hander Jake Latz (0-1) was charged with the loss, firing 1.1 innings and giving up two runs on three hits with two strikeouts in his first collegiate appearance.

“I saw some positive things for Jake,” Mainieri said, “but I had to take him out at 36 pitches, because he hasn’t thrown that many pitches in a while. We’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow and, hopefully, he will continue to make progress.”

LSU will face Grambling Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.