COLUMBIA, S.C. — Britni Sneed hurled a two-hit shutout with the support of a productive offense to lead LSU to a 4-0 win over South Carolina on Sunday in Columbia.
“Once again, Britni was definitely in total control today,” said head coach Yvette Girouard. “I think we hit the ball hard today and were focused and disciplined. Obviously we came out ready to play today. If we could bottle up today, then the SEC would definitely be a race.”
The Tigers took two of three from the Lady Gamecocks to improve to 25-6 for the season and 7-2 in the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina falls to 21-11-1 overall and 5-3 in the SEC.
LSU pulled ahead first in its first at bat scoring one run off two hits. First baseman Christy Connor doubled of the center field wall to send Stephanie Hastings home from first for the Tigers’ first run.
The Tigers increased their lead by a run in the top of the third when second baseman April Janzen singled to the second base area to send home Aleshia Perry. LSU added a run to its tally once again in the top of the fourth. Hastings tripled down the right field line with Perry scoring from first to put the Tigers up 3-0.
Catcher Jennifer Schuelke picked up an RBI in the top of the fifth with a ground out to the shortstop that sent home third baseman Julie Wiese.
Junior All-American pitcher Sneed held the Lady Gamecocks hitless until the top of the sixth inning when designated hitter Kim Evans laid down an successful bunt. Sneed sat down nine Lady Gamecock batters, five of which were caught looking. She only allowed two hits and walked one to improve to 16-4 for the season. Sneed has not allowed an earned run in 28 innings.
The Tiger bats were on fire, getting 12 hits off Megan Matthews and Stacey Johnson. Hastings hit her second triple for an RBI. Perry was three for four at the plate, scoring two of the Tigers’ runs.
The Tigers are in action on Wednesday versus Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach. The doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m. LSU will end its Spring Break road trip with a three game SEC series at Georgia before returning home to play host to Arkansas on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The Tigers will face Alabama on April 7 and 8 in Baton Rouge at Tiger Park.