AUSTIN, Texas — The LSU softball team defeated two ranked teams in the first day of the Texas Invitational, making them the only undefeated team in the tournament.
In game one, the LSU Tigers upset No. 2 Washington 4-2 giving the Huskies their first loss of the season bringing their record to 9-1. LSU combined for five hits off of senior Husky pitcher Jennifer Spediacci.
Senior shortstop Tara Asbill launched a home run over the left field fence during the first inning to score the first run for the Tigers. Asbill now has 16 career home runs, tying the school career record set by Tyra Perry.
In the top of the second, junior pitcher Ashley Lewis reached first base on a hit to right field. After a series of walks to load the bases, Lewis scored for the Tigers when junior left fielder Dee Douglas reached base on an error by Husky second baseman Christie Rosenblad. The Tigers led the Huskies 2-0.
The Huskies answered back in the bottom of the second when catcher Jenny Topping homered to left field to score one of only two Washington runs making the score 2-1. The Tiger defense then retired three of the next four batters to end the inning.
Asbill walked to start the top of the third inning with senior third baseman Ashlee Ducote on deck. Ducote hit her second home run of the season and 15th career home run to drive in two runs for the Tigers.
Washington second baseman Melissa Downs walked to start the bottom of the fifth. Jessica Bork came in to pinch run for the Huskies and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Jennifer Spediacci. Bork then advanced to third when designated hitter Jamie Graves grounded out to the pitcher.
Center fielder Jamie Helgeland then singled to right field to drive in Bork for the Huskies second run.
Lewis pitched five innings for the Tigers giving up four hits and striking out two batters. Sophomore Britni Sneed relieved Lewis in the sixth inning and held off the Husky offense allowing no hits and striking out three batters.
In the night cap against the 19th ranked Texas Longhorns, the Tiger rallied in eighth inning to come out on top 6-2. The Tigers had six hits of Longhorn pitcher Carmen Martinez.
In the bottom of the fourth, Texas pitcher Martinez walked Asbill to start the inning. Asbill scored on a single to left field by Ducote, who advanced to second on the play. Ducote then made it to third on a sacrifice play by right fielder Trena Peel. Ducote stole home, out-running the defense to score the second run for the Tigers. LSU led Texas 2-0.
During the top of the sixth, Texas right fielder Tiffany Valdehueza began with a walk to get on base and advanced to second on a single by second baseman Lindsay Gardner. Both base runners advanced on an out by center fielder Audrey Hendricks. Third baseman Keely Franks then singled to left field to score Valdehueza and Gardner, tying the score at 2-2.
In the bottom of the eighth, Douglas singled to start the inning. Hastings doubled to put runners on second and third. Pitcher Martinez intentionally walked Asbill to load the bases. Ducote hit a grand slam over the left field fence to win the game for the Tigers 6-2. Ducote now has 16 career home runs tying her with Tyra Perry and Tara Asbill.
Sneed pitched seven innings for the Tigers striking out 11 Longhorn batters. Lewis replaced Sneed in the top of the eighth. Lewis had one strike out and picked up her fourth win for the Tigers.
Score by Inning R H E --------------------------- LSU 112 000 0 4 5 1 Washington 010 100 0 2 4 1 Pitchers (W-L) IP H R ER BB K ------------------------------------------- W - Lewis (2-0) 5.1 4 2 2 3 2 L - Spediacci (4-1) 7 5 4 3 3 5 Game 4 (8 innings) LSU 6, Texas 2 Score by inning R H E ------------------------- Texas 000 002 00 2 6 1 LSU 000 200 04 6 6 0