LSU loses series final to UAB

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 9, 2005

BATON ROUGE – Right fielder Cole Helms’ solo home run broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth and starter Randy Mills went seven strong innings as UAB snapped LSU’s 15-game home winning streak, 4-3, at Alex Box Stadium on Sunday.

“It’s obvious that the guys hitting .240 in the lineup contributed last year,” said head coach Smoke Laval. “If they don’t get it done, it is going to be a long year. Until they quit fighting it and get through the pressure barrier, we are going to struggle.”

Greg Smith (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season, allowing four runs – two earned – on four hits and striking out eight, just one shy of his career high. The junior southpaw committed two throwing errors that led to both unearned runs, while two of his three walks crossed home.

Second baseman Clay Harris led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one RBI.In the fifth, Smith’s two walks and his second throwing error of aided UAB. Smith fielded a routine groundball off Ryan Metcalf’s bat and fired down to first, pulling Will Harris off of the bag. Two batters later, Dan Stucky continued his series success with a two-run single into right field.