NATCHITOCHES, La. – The No. 9 LSU softball team shutout the Northwestern State Demons 5-0 in game one and 8-0 in five innings in game two.
“I am pleased with the way the girls came out and stayed patient to get the plays that we needed,” said head coach Glenn Moore. “We had some very good plays against a very good NSU team. We just made the most of our opportunities by getting key hits, and Northwestern had several chances but could not hit the ball when necessary. Our girls stayed patient and came out on top.”
During game one in the top of the third inning, LSU scored first when shortstop Tara Asbill singled to right field to send home pinch runner Janell Deslattes and left fielder Dee Douglas. Second baseman Stephanie Hastings also scored on the play on a throwing error by right fielder Linette Stuart to put the Tigers ahead 3-0.
During the bottom half of the third, the Demons placed a runner on third when left fielder Amber Welker tripled to right field. However, Tiger defense held her there and NSU remained scoreless.
The top of the fifth proved to be fruitful for the Tigers when right fielder Auburne Ziober and left fielder Dee Douglas singled to get on base. Hastings then singled to center field to send Ziober and Douglas home to give LSU a 5-0 lead.
The Demons could not get a timely hit leaving several runners in scoring positions in several innings.
The Tiger bats combined for 11 hits off of Demon pitcher Jessica Holoway. Hastings went 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, and Ziober was 1-for-1.
Pitcher Britni Sneed went five innings and improved her record to 10-5. Sneed had three strikeouts and only four hits. Douglas relived Sneed in the sixth and gave up no hits and struck out one.
In game two, the Tigers began scoring in the second when second baseman Ziober singled to send home right fielder Trena Peel and center fielder Stacey Newton, making the score 2-0.
LSU struck again in the third when Douglas reached base on a single and scored on another single by Asbill to bring the Tigers up 3-0.
In the fifth inning, Douglas reached first on an error by third baseman Brandy Kenney and scored on a throwing error by the pitcher. Hastings then scored on an RBI double to left field by Ashlee Ducote. Asbill was sent home on a sacrifice fly by Peel. Ducote then scored when the pitcher over threw third base. Newton finished up the scoring when she made it home on a passed ball.
The Tigers bats combined for eight hits with Ducote going 2-for-2.
Ashley Lewis went four innings with only one hit and four strikeouts before being relieved by Julie Stashko. Lewis is now 10-2.
The Tigers will travel to Ole Miss this weekend for double headers on Friday at 5 and 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m.