BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Aaron Nola allowed one run in eight innings, and Tyler Hanover's two-run single in the seventh propelled LSU to a 4-1 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Friday night in the NCAA tournament opener for both teams.
Nola (7-4) struck out 10 and allowed four hits, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh when Corben Green grounded into a double play, keeping the score tied 1-1.
Hanover's big hit came in the bottom of that inning, and he later scored on Austin Nola's double.
ULM starter Randy Zeigler (5-7), a member of LSU's 2009 national title team who transferred after elbow surgery, held LSU (44-16) to one run through six innings before the Tigers' late surge knocked him from the game and gave him the loss.
Chris Cotton did not allow the Warhawks (31-29) a hit in the ninth and recorded his first save.
