BILOXI, Miss. –  A long day of baseball between Samford and defending national champions LSU was highlighted by the Bulldogs playing 21 innings of errorless baseball in a day of tight baseball in front of an enormous near capacity crowd at the Biloxi Shucker stadium.
 
"Really high-level day of baseball," Samford head coach Tony David said. "Our guys were incredible on defense, not just with the routine plays but several outstanding gems as well. Both sides were great, I think just one error for them when their outfielder bobbled a base hit, that was as much about our guys doing a great job on the bases to take an extra base."
 
The two teams battled in three separate seven-inning contests that were tight throughout the day from start to finish with the final game ending in a 4-4 tie after two tight wins by LSU 6-3 and 10-7. Coach David felt like the team played well in all areas.
 
"Ecstatic with all phases of the game for our guys," David said. "We swung the bats at a high level, scored a lot of runs on the day against some outstanding pitching while playing every healthy hitter and pitching 16 different guys on the mound. We had a few more walks that lead to runs for them, but our guys competed really well against the best of the best all day. Still plenty to work on going forward but the pieces are here to do what we want. Today was a really good day."
 
Scores and Highlights:
Game 1: 6-3 LSU. Parker McDonald launched a two-run home run for an early 2-0 lead and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to pull within 5-3 as the Bulldogs loaded the bases with a chance to take the lead. Newcomer Luke Boykin went 2-for-3 to help lead the way offensively.
 
Game 2: 10-7 LSU. Jeff Ince ponded a deep fly ball off the top of the wall in deep center that kicked away from the outfielder to allow for an inside the park grand slam to pull within 6-5. LSU responded with four runs on two homers before the Bulldogs pulled to within 10-7 after a Boykin hit by pitch and a Pierce Dutton gapper.
 
Game 3: 4-4 tie. The game featured almost all freshman newcomers for both sides. Samford jumped out 3-0 in the second with young power. Eddie Marshall walked, John Whitney doubled to deep center, Edward McLeod doubled off the wall to right, and Cason Hill tripled high off the wall to right field. Mason Blasche doubled and scored on a Madden Williams.
 
"It's a fall game but you can't underestimate the value of what our young guys got out of today," David said. "Stood in there and swung it early with power and competed on the mound. Andre got thrown into the fire in the final inning and handled it well."
 
Andrew Marble, Andrew Arnold, Palmer O'Beirne and Alex Gaeto each had scoreless outings. Samford went to the final inning up 4-3 before LSU tied it with a solo shot. Freshman Will Andre escaped the bases loaded jam with big pitches to end it in a tie.
 
Samford will wrap up the fall by taking on Troy at Rickwood Field on Sunday, Nov. 9.
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).