Ethan Frey’s three-run homer highlighted a seven-run second inning for LSU before the No. 2-ranked Tigers had to hold on for a 12-8 victory over Sam Houston Sunday, capping a sweep of three games to win the Frisco College Classic.

Steven Milam added a solo home run in the big inning.

The Tigers who beat Kansas State 8-5 on Friday and Nebraska 11-6 on Saturday, led 9-2 after three innings and 11-3 after four.

But after starting pitcher Chase Shores (3-0) gave up four runs in his five innings, a depleted Tigers’ bullpen kept things interesting before LSU won its fourth game in five days on the road trip to the Dallas area.

The team celebrated by diving en masse into the swimming pool/fountain beyond the right field wall of Riders Field, the home of the Texas Rangers’ Class AA team.

“I think our team has been very tough-minded in how our players approached each day,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson, whose team arrived a day early and also beat No. 19 Dallas Baptist Wednesday before the tournament began.

“Today was a great example of that. We had a great emotional game Saturday night, and I wanted to see how they would respond today. I don’t think it could have been better to be honest with you.”

He might have preferred a little less drama after the big early lead.

Shores left LSU with an 11-4 lead after striking out five in his five innings with 89 pitches.

Reliever Kade Woods came and didn’t retire a batter, giving up two hits and two walk, with all four eventually scoring to cut the margin to 11-8.

Five more relief pitchers were eventually summoned and they combined for three hitless innings, but also issued five walks to keep things antsy.

The Tigers also eventually stranded 10 runners.

After Mavrck Rizy issued a pair of one-out walks in the ninth to get the potential tying run into the on-deck circle, Jaden Noot came on to get the final two outs for his first save.

“Our team is very together,” Johnson said. “Our players are genuinely happy for their teammates success. We’re going to continue to get tested, and this weekend was a step in the right direction.”

Catcher Luis Hernandez with 3-for-5 with three walks and scored three runs to lead the Tigers’ 13-hit attack.

Derek Curiel, Jared Jones and Daniel Dickinson all had two hits for the Tigers. Curiel and Jones each drove in two runs while Dickinson scored twice.