I'm All Aboard the Ma'khail Hilliard Train
Before we get into the dominant outing by Hilliard, we need to talk about the 3rd inning where LSU blasted not one, not two, but three ding dongs to solidify yet another SEC series win. With this win today, LSU now has 13 wins over SEC teams and has also won 5 of their last 7 SEC series.
Now let’s talk about Ma’khail Hillard. This wasn’t just a good outing by Hillard. It was a very impressive outing especially from someone who didn’t even start for the first half of the year and is suddenly starting the weekend finales. I told myself all I wanted out of him was 6 innings without allowing more than 3 earned runs to record a quality start and give our offense a good chance of winning. Well he did much more than that. He had a no hitter through the first time though the lineup. Only one batter reached base and that was on an error by Thompson. His final stat line read 7.0 innings pitched, 6 hits, 0 walks, 2 earned runs, 2 strikeouts, and most importantly the win to better his record to 6-0.
Since getting the series finale start, Hillard has posted a 2.59 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP. Not to mention his 4.5 K/BB. The dude has been flat out resilient. To be told this year "hey, you're not in the bullpen anymore. You're going against the nation's best" and put up those kind of numbers is a goat in my book.
See you in Hoover.