Derek Curiel grand slam carries LSU to series-opening victory over Tennessee
By David Wasson
Published:
Derek Curiel’s eighth-inning grand slam was the difference maker for LSU baseball on Friday night, as the Tigers outlasted host Tennessee 7-4 in a series-opening victory in front of 7,195 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville.
LSU (21-10 overall, 5-5 SEC) picked up just its second road victory of the season. Tennessee (19-11, 3-7) dropped its fourth straight conference decision. The Tigers and Vols continue the series Saturday (6 pm ET, ESPN2).
Like our coverage? Make SDS a preferred source in your searches!
Curiel launched a 1-0 fastball the other way to left field against Volunteers reliever Bo Rhudy (0-1) in the top of the eighth to make it 5-4. Curiel had only one home run this season heading into the final game of last weekend’s series against Kentucky but has now gone deep in three straight contests.
Seth Dardar added a solo shot to right in the eighth to extend the lead and Chris Stanfield smacked a solo shot to left in the ninth. Tennessee’s Blake Grimmer homered to right to cut it to 7-5, but the Vols could get no closer.
Jake Brown hit a solo homer for LSU in the third, and both Levi Clark and Reese Chapman answered with homers for Tennessee in the third and fourth, respectively.
LSU reliever Santiago Garcia (1-0) earned the victory and Deven Sheerin picked up his second save.
Who will win the College World Series? Predict this year’s national champion at Kalshi!
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
