COLUMBUS, Ga. — Running their winning streak to 11 consecutive games, the 12th-ranked LSU softball teams posted one of their best days in school history, upsetting No. 3 California, 6-1, and No. 4 Washington, 4-2, in the second day of action at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
With the pair of wins, the Tiger improved to 16-3 on the year and 4-0 in the tournament. After going undefeated at 3-0 in pool play, LSU moved on to the Gold Championship bracket. California lost its first game of the season to fall to 15-1 on the year, while Washington dropped to 13-4 on the season. Three of the eight teams in the gold bracket represent the Southeastern Conference and all were victorious in their first bracket games.
“This was an incredible day for the Tigers,” said LSU head coach Yvette Girouard. “We took care of No. 3 and No. 4 and it was a total team effort. Our defense was outstanding, going through both games without committing an error. All facets of the game seem to be clicking for us. We are getting timely hitting, outstanding pitching and solid defense. Those are all of the things that are needed to be a winning program.”
The Tigers will now take on No. 6 Georgia in the semifinals of bracket play against Georgia at 10 a.m. (CST). The Bulldogs were 8-0 winners over Central Michigan in their first bracket game. No. 20 South Carolina will meet No. 10 Florida State in the other semifinal game. The winners will advance to the tournament championship game at noon (CST).
“We face a tough task tomorrow in Georgia,” said Girouard. “But I like how we are playing right now. It’s a good time to be in purple and gold.”
In its final pool game, LSU avenged a 5-1 loss to California two weeks ago at the UNLV Softball Classic with a 6-1 victory over the Bears. Senior All-American Kristin Schmidt took a no-hitter into the fourth inning before eventually allowing four hits in the complete-game effort. She improved to 8-2 on the season after allowing just one run with four strikeouts.
The Tigers jumped out early with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. LaDonia Hughes led off with a single through the left side. On a single by Lauren Castle, Hughes advanced to third. Castle then moved to second on a ground out by Leslie Klein. Hughes scored on a fielder’s choice by Stephanie Hill before a single up the middle scored Castle.
LSU added a third run in the top of the third inning on a solo home run by Hill, her team-leading sixth homer of the season.
With one out and runners on first and second in the fourth, the Tigers loaded the bases on a fielder’s choice by Hughes as the shortstop muffed a throw covering third. An infield single by Castle scored Lauren Uhle, before a Klein ground out scored Camille Harris to run the LSU lead to 5-0.
The Tigers concluded their scoring in the fifth inning with a leadoff home run to left field by Lauren Delahoussaye.
The Bears broke through with one run in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Lindsay James recorded a bunt single. Kaleo Eldredge then doubled to right center to score James from first. The James would be the only runner California would have in scoring position during the game.
In the nightcap against Washington, Schmidt took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before allowing a two-run home run after hitting the leadoff batter. For the game, she would allow just two runs on two hits with two walks and six strikeouts to run her record to 9-2 on the year.
In a pitchers duel through the first six innings, neither team was able to get on the scoreboard. The Tigers had their first scoring opportunity in the second inning. Hill led off with a single up the middle. With one out, Julie Wiese drew a walk. On a Fitzgerald fielder’s choice, Wiese was out at second. With runners and first and second, LSU failed to push a run across as Kristen Hobbs struck out swinging to end the inning.
In the fifth inning, the Tigers loaded the bases, but could not get the hit they needed. With one out, Fitzgerald singled up the middle. Leigh Ann Danos then drew a walk to move Fitzgerald to second. Camille Harris was hit by a pitch to load the bases. On an infield hit by Hughes, Fitzgerald just missed beating the throw home for the second out. Castle then struck out swinging to end the inning.
LSU finally broke through in the seventh inning. Fitzgerald was hit by a pitch to lead off. After Hobbs recorded a bunt single to put runners on first and second, Camille Harris reached on a fielder’s choice as Fitzgerald was put out going to third. Harris and Hobbs moved to second and third on a wild pitch before Hughes drew a walk to load the bases.
Castle then came up with a timely hit to right field that scored Hobbs and Harris. Hughes then scored as the right fielder overthrew the catcher at home and Castle moved to third. A single to center field scored Castle to give the Tigers the 4-0 lead.
After Schmidt hit Dena Tyson to lead off the bottom of the seventh, Kristen Riveria recorded the first hit of the game for the Huskies as she homered to left field to cut the LSU advantage to 4-2. With two outs, Kathy Fiske then singled to left field before Schmidt go Courtney Jeffries to ground out to Fitzgerald at second to end the game.
After the NFCA Leadoff Classic, LSU returns home to open SEC play against Mississippi State. The Tigers open with a doubleheader against the Bulldogs on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The series concludes with a single game on Thursday at 4 p.m. The games will be broadcast on the radio on the LSU Sports Network, Jam’n 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge and on the internet at LSUsports.net.
LSU 201 210 0 – 6 9 0
California 000 001 0 – 1 4 2
Schmidt and Hobbs. Anderson, Thorson (4) and Woods. W – Schmidt (8-2). L – Anderson (9-1). HR – Hill, Delahoussaye. T – 1:59.
LSU 000 000 4 – 4 7 0
Washington 000 000 2 – 2 2 1
Schmidt and Hobbs. Boak and Rivera. W – Schmidt (9-2). L – Boak (6-2). HR – Rivera. T – 2:11.