AUSTIN, Texas – The LSU Tiger softball team remained unbeaten at the Texas Invitational after defeating South Florida twice Saturday in Austin.
Head coach Glenn Moore was satisfied with his teams’ play so far in the tournament and feels that his team will be a match for ranked teams this season.
“We have performed well so far this weekend in a quality tournament with talented teams,” said head coach Glenn Moore. “We have handled our pressure situations the way we should, making adjustments where necessary. Beating No. 2 Washington and No. 19 Texas on Friday were obviously huge wins for our program. This shows our team goals for the season are definitely realistic.”
In game one on Saturday against the South Florida Bulls, the Tigers escaped with a 5-4 lead to remain undefeated in the tournament. LSU combined for nine hits off South Florida pitcher Jamie Anderson.
South Florida scored first in the top of the second. Shortstop Lea Mishlan singled to center field to start the inning and stole second. Priscilla Smith reached first on a passed ball, and Mishlan moved to third base.
Jaimie Anderson grounded out to junior second baseman Stephanie Hastings and drove in Mishlan to put the Bulls ahead 1-0.
The Tigers answered back in the bottom of the third when junior left fielder Auburne Ziober reached first on a bunt single. Junior center fielder Dee Douglas then moved Ziober to second with a bunt single. Hastings also got a bunt single to load the bases. Senior shortstop Tara Asbill got to first on a error by center fielder Alanna Hazzard, and Hastings was caught at second. Douglas advanced to third and Ziober scored on the play to tie the score at 1-1. Senior third baseman Ashlee Ducote grounded out to shortstop Mishlan but got the RBI when Douglas scored. LSU now led South Florida 2-1.
The bottom of the fourth proved fruitful once more for the Tigers as Ziober singled to third base to start the inning. She then stole second and scored when Douglas singled to center field. Hastings then got a bunt single, and Douglas advanced to third. Asbill had a sacrifice fly to center field to score Douglas, bringing the score to 4-1. Ducote then doubled down the left field line to drive in Hastings for the 5-1 lead over the Bulls.
In the top of the sixth sophomore right fielder Trena Peel came in to pitch for senior Julie Stashko and walked two batters to place runners Nikki Phillips and Nora Wideikis on first and second. Andi Michaels grounded out to first baseman Megann Steege to advance the runners, and Mishlan grounded out to Ducote to drive in Phillips brining the score to 5-2. Wideikis then scored on a passed ball by catcher Jennie Reeves making the score 5-3 before Stashko re-entered for Peel to retire the inning.
The Bulls tried once more in the top of the seventh to salvage the game when pinch runner Kristin Turek scored on an error by third baseman Ashlee Ducote, but the Tigers held on to retire the inning with no more runs.
Stashko picked up her first win for the Tigers improving her record to 1-0 with five strike outs and no walks.
In the night cap of day two, first seed LSU faced fourth seed South Florida once more to determine the seats for the championships on Sunday. The Tigers once again were victorious, shutting out the Bulls 5-0.
LSU started scoring in the bottom of the fourth when right fielder Peel singled to left field. Senior center fielder Stacey Newton doubled to left field to place runners on second and third. Junior catcher Jennifer Schuelke then picked up the RBI as she reached first on the fielder’s choice and Peel scored. Senior first baseman Shaunte’ Fremin made it to first on the fielder’s choice, and Newton scored to bring the Tigers up 2-0 over the Bulls.
The Tigers broke out in the bottom of the sixth when once again Peel singled this time to right field, stole second and advanced to third on an error by the catcher. Newton then singled to left field and advanced to second on an error by the left fielder Renee Oursler, driving in Peel to bring the score to 3-0. Schuelke singled and reached second on a second error by Oursler to score Newton. Reeves came into pinch run for Schuelke and scored when Fremin tripled to right field.
Sophomore pitcher Britni Sneed picked up her third win for the Tigers and tied the school single game record she set against McNeese State on February 12 with 13 strikeouts against the Bulls. She faced 24 batters and only gave up two hits.
No. 7 LSU will face No.2 Washington on Sunday for the championship game.