GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The superb pitching of Britni Sneed and a timely hit by Megann Steege were what the eighth ranked Tiger softball team needed to rally for a 3-1 win over Florida on Sunday in Gainesville.
“We finally saw a spark of a warrior in the team,” said head coach Yvette Girouard. “We battled back and it paid off. It was no question that we were in a funk. I think the first five innings we were making good contact, but the ball had no eyes. Hastings came through with the double to tie the game, and Britni really bore down and pitched a good game. Her team came through for her because you can’t expect a pitcher to throw that well and let one run score and lose a game.”
The Tigers move to 20-5 for the season and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Florida falls to 15-7 and 1-2 in the SEC.
Florida scored first in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jenilee Garner singled to get on and, Mylin Prieto singled to center field to send the run home.
The Tiger bats woke up in the top of the sixth with three runs on four hits to take the lead over Florida 3-1. Dee Douglas singled to left field to start the inning. Senior Stephanie Hastings followed with a double down the left field line to send in Douglas to tie the score at 1-1. First baseman Megann Steege got her first hit since Valentine’s Day with a single to left field to score Hastings for the Tiger lead. Sophomore transfer Christy Connor followed with a single to center field that let pinch runner Auburne Ziober score with a pile up at home plate.
Sneed had twelve strikeouts in her 12th win of the season. She allowed only two hits and one run. The Tiger bats combined for seven hits off Florida pitchers Amanda Moore and Renise Landry. Hastings and Jennifer Schuelke each had doubles.
LSU returns home to Tiger Park for a double header with in-state opponent Louisiana Tech on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The game will be televised by College Sports Southeast. On Saturday, March 17, the Tigers open SEC play at Tiger Park with a double header versus Tennessee with a start time of 11 a.m.