HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Four hits and six RBIs from Camille Harris and a one-hitter by Kristin Schmidt helped the 11th-ranked LSU softball team dismantle Southern Miss, 14-0, at the Southern Miss Softball Complex on Wednesday night.
Riding a nine-game winning streak, the Tigers improved to 35-11 overall. Southern Miss dropped to 20-24 on the season. The win marked LSU’s largest margin of victory over the Lady Eagles in the series 12 meetings.
“What a fabulous night for our hitters,” said LSU head coach Yvette Girouard. “We showed the true Tiger attack mentality at the plate.”
Harris tied the LSU record for hits and RBIs in a game with a 4-for-4 performance with six RBIs. The freshman from Hendersonville, Tenn., nailed a three-run home run to put the Tigers on the board in the third inning and also scored two run s.
Alicia Owen posted a 3-for-4 night with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Jennie Reeves came in to catch in the fifth inning and went 2-forf-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
“What a night for Camille Harris,” said Giroaurd. “We had a lot of hitter who had just outstanding games at the plate for us.”
Kristin Schmidt picked up the complete game shutout to improve to 21-9 on the season. She allowed just one infield single in the first inning while striking out nine. She faced just two over the minimum, allowing a sixth inning walk after throwing four perfect innings.
“Kristin looks like she is in primetime form,” said Girouard. “It is a really great time as we head into the home stretch.”
Harris nailed a three-run homer in the top of the third inning to give the Tigers the early advantage. Owen and Leigh Ann Danos nailed back-to-back one-out singles to put runners on first and second. With two outs, Harris drove a shot over the left field fence, her fourth homer of the season.
LSU extended the lead to 7-0 in the top of the third. Tessa Lynam and Christy Connor led off the inning with back-to-back walks. The Tigers then loaded the bases when Julie Wiese reached on a fielder’s choice and Lynam advanced to third on an error by the Southern Miss third baseman.
A double to centerfield scored Lynam and Connor and moved Wiese to third. Wiese then scored on an infield groundout by Blair Smith. A single to left field by Harris scored Owen for the 7-0 advantage.
The Tigers broke loose for seven more in the sixth inning. Harris led off with a single up the middle. Fitzgerald reached on a fielding error by the shortstop as Harris advanced to second. On an infield groundout by Hughes, Fitzgerald and Harris advanced to second and third.
On an infield single by Lauren Delahoussaye, pinch hitting for Lynam, Harris scored from third. A single to center field by Connor scored Connor and Delahoussaye for the 10-0 lead as Connor moved to second on the throw. A double to left field by Wiese scored Connor from second.
With one out, Reeves singled and advanced to second on the throw as Wiese scored from second. Smith then drew a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball as Reeves moved to third. A single to left field by Harris scored Smith and Reeves to run the score to 14-0 Tigers.
Jessica Holaway took the loss for Southern Miss. She allowed seven runs, four earned, on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts in two and a third innings. Danielle Wymer came on in relief to throw three and a third innings. She allowed seven runs, three earned, on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
The Tigers will return to action this Friday against Ole Miss. LSU will host the Lady Rebels in a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and concluding with a single game on Saturday at 1 p.m. If the Tigers can sweep the doubleheader on Friday, LSU can clinch a spot in the SEC Tournament in Plant City, Fla., in May.