COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No. 5 LSU softball team defeated Boston College 14-1 in five innings but fell to No. 14 Michigan, 3-0, to split its first two games at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Lead-Off Classic Friday at the South Commons Softball Complex.
In game one against Boston College, the Tigers pounded out 21 hits against pitchers Lauren Fischetti and Brooke Shull to set an LSU single game record. The previous record of 18 was set last season against Auburn and Southern. Seven Tigers were perfect at the plate (Stephanie Hastings 4-4, Tara Asbill 3-3, Auburne Ziober 1-1, Ashlee Ducote 3-3, Trena Peel 2-2, Taryn Perry 1-1, Ashley Lewis 3-3).
Senior third baseman Ducote tied the ongoing LSU career home run record race at 17, the mark at which shortstop Tara Asbill was at. Ducote’s blast was over the left field fence to score two in the top of the fourth making the score 9-1.
The Tigers then drove in five more runs to end the game and improve their record to 14-2.
Ashley Lewis picked up the win for the Tigers, improving her record to 6-2. Lewis only allowed two hits and struck out four batters in three innings. Senior Julie Stashko finished the game for LSU, going two innings with no hits and one strikeout. Stashko has not allowed an earned run for the season.
Game two against Michigan was scoreless until the top of the fourth, when the Michigan lead-off hitter singled to center field to start the inning. Mary Conner then pinch ran and scored when Melissa Gentile singled to pick up the RBI.
Michigan then scored two runs in the top of the fifth to clinch the win and improve its record to 8-5.
Tiger pitcher Britni Sneed pitched seven innings for LSU, striking out six batters.
“We played really well the first game,” said LSU Coach Glenn Moore. “But we still have the inconsistent play and we are not stepping it up when we face tougher pitching. But I am very glad we are playing this type of competition which will definitely get us ready for the conference play.”
The Tigers will face No. 19 Hawaii Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in the final game of pool play with the field divided for bracket play beginning Saturday evening.
Linescores
No. 5 LSU 340 34 – 14 21 2
Boston College 001 00 – 1 2 0
No. 14 Michigan 000 120 0 – 3 8 1
No. 5 LSU 000 000 0 – 0 3 0