BATON ROUGE — The fifth-ranked LSU softball team will face in-state opponent Southeastern Louisiana in a single game at Tiger Park on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
“This is an in-state game, and we have to be prepared to play,” said head coach Yvette Girouard. “Southeastern is much better this year, and we have to give seven innings of effort to this one game.”
The Tigers and the Lions have met only once. LSU won, 8-7. The Lions jumped on the Tigers’ starting pitcher, Dee Douglas, who allowed eight hits and six runs to fall behind, 6-4.
The difference came in the relief pitchers. LSU’s reliever Julie Stashko allowed five hits and only one run to hold the Lions’ at bay while the Tigers scored four off SLU’s Susan Hill to earn the win.
Former LSU shortstop Tara Asbill went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI. Stephanie Hastings added two hits and an RBI in the contest.
LSU (42-8) swept Kentucky over the weekend to hold on to its Southeastern Conference lead. Britni Sneed anchors the pitching staff with an ERA of 0.74 in 189.1 innings of work. She leads the league in ERA, followed by senior teammate Ashley Lewis (0.84 in 116.1 innings).
Hastings leads the Tigers’ bats with an average of .372. Christy Connor is riding an 11-game hitting streak with a batting average of .328.
Southeastern Louisiana (27-18)is led by Brandy Neal with a batting average of .394.
LSU plays a mid-week game against New Mexico State on Thursday at 6 p.m. before returning to SEC play on Saturday against Ole Miss at 11 a.m.
Saturday will be Parents’ Day, and the Tigers will honor five seniors on Sunday at noon.