BATON ROUGE – The No. 8 LSU Tiger softball team came back in the bottom of the seventh with four runs to top the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, 8-7, Tuesday night in Tiger Park.
“We have to work hard in practice these next few days,” said head coach Glenn Moore. “We are having problems with our mental game. The girls are working hard at practice and putting forth the effort. I feel that they will be rewarded in the long-run, for now, we have to concentrate on the mental choices made. The girls played hard tonight to come out on top in the end.”
SLU began the game with a run in the first inning when right fielder Heather Dye hit a sacrifice fly to send home left fielder Jenee’ Weber.
The Tigers answered back in the bottom of the first with a two run home run by shortstop Tara Asbill to score second baseman Stephanie Hastings. Asbill has five home runs for the season and 20 for her career, making her the LSU all-time career home run leader.
LSU held the 2-1 lead until the top of the third when the Lions racked up six hits to bring home five runs in the innings. Third baseman Heather Heimbach picked up the first RBI of the inning when she doubled to right field to score center fielder Sonya Fortenberry. Designated hitter Christina Garsee singled to pick up two RBI and send home Dye and LeeAnn Guedry. Catcher Brooke Kostic then doubled to send home Garsee and first baseman Candice Millet. The Lions led the Tigers 6-2.
SLU scored one more run when Fortenberry singled to start the inning and scored later in the inning, making the score 7-2.
The Tigers came back to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth when Asbill singled to get on base and scored when first baseman Megann Steege grounded out to advance her home. Catcher Jennifer Schuelke then singled and picked up the RBI when third baseman Ashlee Ducote scored. LSU was still trailing 7-4.
In the bottom of the seventh, Steege singled to start the inning, and Janell Deslattes came in to pinch run. Center fielder Stacey Newton hit a bunt single to advance Deslattes to second. Shaunte’ Fremin then pinch hit for Ashley Lewis and drew a key walk. Auburne Ziober reached first on a fielder’s choice that sent home Deslattes. Douglas also reached first on a fielder’s choice, and Deslattes advanced to second on an error by the shortstop. Hastings singled to drive in Ziober and Fremin.
The Tigers had 14 hits of SLU pitchers Erin Hymel and Susan Hill. Douglas pitched three innings for LSU with eight hits and two strikeouts. Stashko picked up the win to improve her record to 6-0. She gave up five hits and struck out one.
LSU will face Florida in SEC play this Friday, March 24, at Tiger Park.