GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Emily Turner threw a three-hit shutout as the LSU softball team erupted for seven runs in the top of the seventh on the way to a 10-0 win over 16th-ranked Florida on Sunday afternoon at the Florida Softball Stadium, completing the three-game sweep.
With the win, the Tigers improved to 30-18 on the season and 12-15 in Southeastern Conference series. The Gators fell to 36-19 overall and 15-12 in league play. LSU returns to action next weekend at home to close out the regular season against nationally ranked Tennessee.
“This was a great weekend for the Tigers,” said LSU head coach Yvette Girouard. “Emily was in control the whole way. Our offense exploded. It was so exciting to see Leslie Klein’s bat come alive. Lauren Castle broke through because she had been struggling. Killian Roessner came through with a huge double and Vanessa Soto had a great weekend.
“A lot of good things happened, obviously, winning three games for the sweep,” Girouard continued. “We are playing much better and I am very happy for the team.”
For the second-straight game, Turner dominated in the circle for LSU. She recorded her sixth complete-game shutout, scattering just three singles with two walks and a strikeout to improve to 16-12 on the season.
Three Tigers posted three hits for the game, led by 3-for-4 performances by Soto and Klein, including a run and an RBI by Soto and a double and two RBIs by Klein. Castle went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.? Stephanie Hill also recorded a multiple-hit game with a 2-for-5 performance, including an RBI and a run scored.
LSU came out and took the early lead on the Gators. Camille Harris was hit by a pitch to lead things off. A single by Castle put runners on first and second. A single off of the pitcher by Hill scored Harris from second before a walk to Klein loaded the bases. A second walk to Soto scored Castle from third.
With one out, a sacrifice fly to center field by Quinlan Duhon scored Heidi Robin, pinch running for Hill and allowed Klein to take third. A fielder’s choice by Andrea Smith ended the inning with the Tigers leading 3-0.
After stranding nine runners on base in the first six innings, LSU broke through with seven runs in the top of the seventh. Back-to-back singles by Klein and Soto led off the inning. An infield ground out put runners on second and third before Florida intentionally walked Duhon to load the bases.
On a fielder’s choice by Andrea Smith, the catcher dropped the throw home, allowing Klein to score. Roessner then nailed a three-run double to left center, scoring Soto, Duhon and Smith. A single up the middle by Castle scored Roessner from second as Castle took second on the throw.
A single off the shortstop by Hill moved Castle on third. After a pitching change for the Gators, Klein doubled to left center, scoring Castle and Hill for the 10-0 advantage.
Amanda Knowles started and took the loss for Florida to fall to 5-2 on the season. She allowed three runs on three hits with two walks in an inning. Stacey Stevens came on in relief in the second and allowed seven runs, three earned, on 10 hits with a walk and three strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings. Lisa Hasson closed out the game, allowing one hit in a third of an inning.
Next weekend against the Lady Vols, the Tigers will begin play on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. The first game will be broadcast live on Cox Sports Television in Baton Rouge on cable channel 37. Play concludes Sunday with a single game at 1 p.m. That contest will be aired live on FSN Southwest in Baton Rouge on cable channel 38. All three games will also be carried on the LSU Sports Network in Baton Rouge on Country Legends 107.3 FM and on the internet at www.LSUsports.net.