NORMAN, Okla. – The No. 8 LSU softball team beat Texas-San Antonio, 3-2, in 11 innings in game one but fell to Colorado State, 4-2, in game two of the day to bring their record to 19-6 for the season and go 3-2 in the tournament.
In game one against Texas-San Antonio, the game went scoreless for seven innings, but the Tigers pulled off the win in the bottom of the eleventh.
At the top of the eighth with base runner Oswald on second due to the international tie-breaker rule, the UTSA designated hitter Conner executed a squeeze bunt to advance Oswald to third. Oswald then scored on a passed ball by LSU catcher Jennie Reeves, putting the Roadrunners ahead 1-0.
The Tigers answered back in the bottom of the eighth when Dee Douglas, who was placed on second, was advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by second baseman Stephanie Hastings and scored on a single by third baseman Ashlee Ducote. The scored was now tied at 1-1 to move in to the top of the ninth.
The ninth and the 10th looked all too familiar as neither team scored, leaving the score tied to go into the 11th.
Pierucci was placed on second for UTSA to start the inning and scored when catcher McElyea reached first on an error by Hastings making the score 2-1.
LSU placed pinch runner Trena Peel on second for Hastings to start the inning. Peel advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Tara Asbill. Ducote was then intentionally walked. First baseman Shaunte’ Fremin then reached first on a fielder’s choice and there was a play at the plate between Peel and McElyea. Peel scored when the catcher could not hang on to the ball. On the throw to first Ducote came home to score and win the game 3-2.
Pitcher Ashlee Lewis went seven innings for the Tigers with only one hit and nine strikeouts. Reliever Britni Sneed went four innings for the Tigers with one hit and eight strikeouts to improve her record to 7-4.
LSU then crossed the street to take on Colorado State at Reaves Park, falling 4-2.
The Tigers got behind in the bottom of the first when the lead-off batter Holly Schmillen singled and scored on a single by Catcher Jenny Orozco. The Rams led 1-0 going into the second.
LSU pitcher Sneed pulled herself out of a hole in the bottom of the second with bases loaded when she struck out two and caught a line drive to end the inning.
The Tigers pulled ahead in the top of the third when Peel who reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a single by Douglas. Hastings then singled to score Douglas to put LSU up 2-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, Colorado State left fielder Brooke Boyer doubled and designated hitter Angie Kitchen walked to put runners on base. Right fielder Katie Koch then singled to load the bases. Shortstop Schmillen then reached first on an error when mis-communication in the outfield caused shortstop Asbill to drop the pop-up, scoring Boyer and Kitchen. CSU now led the Tigers 3-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, first baseman Alyson Carter hit a solo home run to left field to start the inning bringing the score to 4-2. The Tiger defense quickly retired the next three batters to end the inning.
The Tigers’ efforts to score in the sixth and the seventh were fruitless, and LSU softball picked up its sixth loss of the season.
Sneed went five innings giving up nine hits with seven strikeouts. She was relieved by senior Julie Stashko in the sixth, who gave up no hits and had one strikeout.
The Tigers will face Sam Houston on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Southeastern Louisiana at 7p.m.
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score