LSU Gets Out of Bases-Loaded, No-Outs Jam in Extra Innings with Five-Man Infield

LSU beat Florida in the SEC Tournament last night 5-3 in a 14-inning affair that had just about everything. Florida led 2-0 for most of the game, but LSU took the lead with a three-run eighth, only to see the Gators tie it back up in the ninth inning. Fast forward to the 11th, and LSU found themselves in a bit of a jam.

Jesse Stallings, who wound up pitching five innings in relief, loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning and Florida had three outs to push home just one run. That's when LSU manager Paul Mainieri decided to get proactive with his defense. He took one of his outfielders and threw him in the infield, giving LSU three men on the left side of the field, along the more traditional two on the right side. They all played up on the infield grass.

That first hitter was Nelson Maldonado, who hit a screamer down the first base line, just foul, on the first pitch he saw. Maldonado then weakly popped up in front of second base on the second pitch. LSU now had a chance to get out of the inning with a double play, which they got, if probably not the way they expected.

Deacon Liput was up next for Florida, and he also hit a liner, but this one went down the third base line and right at LSU third baseman Chris Reid. Reid made the catch and dove at third for the double play and LSU survived the inning. The stunned crowd reactions say it all.

The teams went at through the 14th inning, when LSU catcher Jordan Romero—mired in a 0-for-17 slump—delivered a pinch-hit single that scored Reid from second. LSU added another run in the inning and Stallings came back out to close out what is now the longest game in SEC tournament history, clocking in at nearly five hours. Just long enough for hijinks.

LSU goes on to play Mississippi State tonight at 8 P.M.

[SEC Network]