BATON ROUGE – Raph Rhymes knocked in four runs and Mason Katz three as 10th-ranked LSU handed Northwestern State its first shutout loss of the season in a 13-0 college baseball win at Alex Box Stadium Wednesday night.

The Demons (5-11) committed four errors in the game that helped lead to seven of the Tigers 13 runs ruled unearned.  LSU (14-3) won for the ninth time in the last 10 games and recorded its sixth blanking on the season.

LSU got up early with two runs in the first and three in the second then opened the flood gates in the fifth inning with a seven spot to go up 12-0.  Meanwhile, NSU managed to get just four hits in the game as both teams unloaded their bullpens as both teams rolled out a total of 17 pitchers, eight by the Demons.

“We got down early and we just folded and that can't happen,” said head coach J.P. Davis.  “We're playing very well lately and we have injured guys back and we have an opportunity to play a nationally ranked team in a great venue and we come in and don't compete at all.”

A.J. Funk (0-1) took the loss after he was the first of the pitching squadron to hit the mound.  He gave up four runs on three hits in 1.1 innings.  LSU starting pitcher Aaron Nola (3-0) got the win after a predetermined two innings as nine Tigers pitchers reached the hill.

LSU outhit the Demons 12-6 as Demon first baseman Nick HInojo led the offense with a 2-for-4 outing. 

Chris Sciambra, Austin Nola and Rhymes had two hits each to lead the Tigers.  LSU did not have one extra base-hit in the game as all 12 hits were singles.

The Demons return to Southland Conference play this weekend when they visit Texas-San Antonio beginning Friday.

“We just need to regroup and get back to playing the way we've been the few games before tonight,” said Davis.