BATON ROUGE, La. (Interstat) — LSU used a four-run second inning and a dominant start from William Schmidt to defeat South Carolina 6-1 in the first game of a Southeastern Conference doubleheader Saturday at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field.

The Tigers improved to 27-21 overall, while the Gamecocks fell to 22-26.

LSU struck early after South Carolina grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Gamecocks catcher Talmadge LeCroy doubled and scored on a double by left fielder Ethan Lizama. But LSU answered in the bottom half, tying the game on a groundout by center fielder Derek Curiel and taking a 2-1 lead on a single by designated hitter Cade Arrambide.

The decisive rally came in the second. LSU shortstop Steven Milam delivered a two-run single to cap a burst that pushed the lead to 5-1. Curiel added an RBI single earlier in the inning. South Carolina starter Amp Phillips lasted six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out three.

Schmidt, the top star for LSU, pitched six innings and allowed one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts. He improved to a strong performance after a rough outing at Mississippi State on April 25 when he gave up two earned runs in four innings. Grant Fontenot followed with three scoreless innings, striking out four and yielding just one hit.

South Carolina reliever Parker Marlatt tossed two perfect innings with three strikeouts.

LSU added an unearned run in the fourth. Catcher Omar Serna Jr. walked, moved to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a second fielder’s choice by Arrambide.

The Gamecocks managed only six hits and grounded into two double plays. LSU also turned two double plays.

Milam went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Curiel finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Arrambide drove in two runs with a 1-for-4 day. Lizama had the lone RBI for South Carolina, going 1 for 4.

The game was the opener of a twin bill between the two teams. South Carolina’s next game is also against LSU on Sunday, while LSU continues its homestand with Tulane on Tuesday before traveling to Georgia.

Interstat’s ELO system projected LSU with a 71.20 percent probability to win.