Ackenhausen keeps LSU alive
Dylan Crews cracked a two-run homer and Tre Morgan collected a pair of hits and scored two runs against Tennessee on Tuesday night.
But, LSU’s season did not end primarily because of the pitching performance of junior college transfer Nate Ackenhausen.
Making his first start of the year, Ackenhausen tossed six scoreless innings to carry the Tigers to a 5-0 elimination-game victory over the Volunteers at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
Ackenhausen was lifted after hitting the leadoff batter in the seventh inning. In six innings, Ackenhausen gave up four hits, walked none and struck out seven. Ackenhausen stranded runners in scoring position in two innings.
The prevailing thought was one of two lefthanders – Javen Coleman or Riley Cooper – would get the start against Tennessee. LSU coach Jay Johnson opted to go with a southpaw, but it was Ackenhausen.
Prior to Tuesday, Ackenhausen had not thrown as many as four innings in a game for the Tigers. However, Ackenhausen had starter’s experience. He was the No. 1 pitcher for East Oklahoma Junior College a year ago. He finished with an 8-1 record and a 1.84 ERA in 59 innings.
Ironically, Ackenhausen’s last start before Tuesday came at Delgado in New Orleans during the junior college regional tournament in 2022. Ackenhausen, who was on the shelf for about a month with a hamstring injury this season, had thrown just 22 innings before his start against the Vols.
Tennessee put a runner past first base in only two innings against Ackenhausen. With two outs in the third, Ackenhausen allowed a single and hit a batter. That threat ended on a fly out.
Two innings later, Ackenhausen got in trouble again with two outs due to another hit batter and a double. That inning also ended on a fly out.
Ackenhausen was relieved by Cooper in the seventh. The Vols, who were trailing by just two runs at the time, loaded the bases with two outs on a walk and a fielding error by shortstop Jordan Thompson. Cooper got a ground out to shut down the potential rally.
With his teammates providing additional runs in both the eighth and ninth innings, Cooper coasted to the finish in picking up the save. Cooper gave up two hits, walked one and struck out two in his three innings.
LSU’s offense did just enough to earn a rematch with Wake Forest. Cade Beloso had a RBI single in the first. Morgan doubled and scored on a throwing error by the Tennessee third baseman on Gavin Dugas’ bunt single in the sixth.
Three hit batters and a two-out wild pitch produced a run in the eighth. Then, Crews hit his two-run homer in the ninth.
The Tigers must now beat the Demon Deacons on successive days to stay alive in the College World Series. LSU accomplished that task six years ago when it beat Oregon State in two straight games to reach the CWS finals.
The Tigers will once again be at a pitching disadvantage – at least on paper. Wake Forest has its No. 3 starter Seth Keener (8-1) ready to go Wednesday night. Look for a bullpen game from LSU or maybe some other pitcher delivers an Ackenhausen-type performance.
2023 College World Series 8 Team Bats Tee
from: Alumni Hall 
LSU 2023 Geauxmaha Distressed Heather Tee
from: Alumni Hall