HOOVER, Ala. (AP) – Pinch-hitter Derek Helenihi hit a three-runhomer in the seventh inning to lift top-seeded LSU to a 9-6 victoryover Alabama Thursday in an elimination game of the SoutheasternConference tournament.

Anthony Ranaudo pitched into the eighth for the Tigers (42-16),who will need to beat either South Carolina or Vanderbilt Friday tokeep hopes for a repeat tournament title alive.

The Tide (37-19) scored three runs in the final two innings butleft the bases loaded in the eighth and two men on in the ninthagainst relievers Buzzy Haydel and Matty Ott.

Ryan Schimpf had three hits and scored twice for LSU. Helenihi’shomer had given the Tigers a 9-3 lead after he pinch-hit for LeonLandry.

Kent Matthes had an RBI double for the Tide, which wenttwo-and-out in the tournament