TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Two runs in the first and one in the sixth gave the 11th-ranked LSU softball team a 3-2 win over No. 3 Alabama and the Southeastern Conference series victory over the Crimson Tide on Saturday afternoon at the Alabama Softball Complex.
With the win, the Tigers improved to 41-7 overall and 14-4 in SEC play, moving to within two games of Alabama in the league standings. The Crimson Tide dropped to 38-6 on the season and 16-2 in league play, losing their first conference series of the season.
“It’s always been unbelievable when we play here,” said LSU head coach Yvette Girouard. “When you match up this game day atmosphere, a regional-type atmosphere, with one of the best programs out there it is great for college softball.”
A two-out two-RBI single by Stephanie Hill in the top of the first inning gave LSU the early lead. After Alabama cut the lead to one on a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers got the run back on an RBI by Quinlan Duhon in the top of the sixth that proved to be the game winner. The Crimson Tide got one in the bottom of the inning, but Emily Turner shut down Alabama the rest of the way to seal the victory.
“We had a few key hits and Emily shut down a very potent Alabama offense,” said Girouard. “There is no question that this is the most balanced Alabama team that Patrick Murphy has ever had. I’m very proud of our team.”
Turner earned the complete-game victory to improve to 18-3 on the season. She allowed two runs on only three hits with two walk s and seven timely strikeouts, including one in the seventh inning.
“I have to give kudos to Emily because that kid has come a long way since she started,” said Girouard. “I always thought it would take until her junior or senior year until you could really see what kind of pitcher she is. She’s always had all the talent in the world and now she’s getting the mental aspect.”
LSU jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Lauren Castle led off the game with a single up the middle. With Dee Dee Henderson running for Castle at first, Henderson moved to second on a sacrifice by Harris. A walk to Vanessa Soto put runners on first and second.
Leslie Klein struck out for the second out of the inning, but on the play, a wild pitch allowed Henderson and Soto to advance to second and third. Hill then singled through the left side to score Henderson and Soto to give the Tigers the 2-0 lead.
In the top of the third, Camille Harris came within inches of her second home run of the series. After Castle reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and advanced to second to lead off the inning, Harris launched a shot over the fence in left field that was so high that it cleared the foul pole down the left field line. The ball, however, was ruled foul by the third base umpire and LSU could not come up with a hit the rest of the inning as Castle was stranded on second.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Alabama broke up the no-hitter and the shutout by Turner. With one out, Staci Ramsey hit her sixth home run of the season on the first pitch to left field to cut the Tiger lead to 2-1.
In the top of the fifth, LSU got a one-out single down the left field line by Andrea Smith. With Heidi Robin running for her at first, Robin advanced to second on a sacrifice by Castle. Alabama then intentionally walked Harris to put runners on first and second. With two outs, Soto popped out to shortstop to end the inning, but on the play, the Tigers almost caught a break as Dominique Accetturo collided with Mandy Burford and almost dropped the ball.
LSU broke through again in the top of the sixth inning. Klein led off with a single to left center. Hill then reached on a fielding error by the second baseman as Klein moved to second. After Chrissy Owens came on in relief of Stephanie VanBrakle, Klein and Hill moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Lauren Delahoussaye. On a ball hit up by Duhon the middle that was kicked by the second baseman, Klein came around to score for the 3-1 advantage.
The Crimson Tide got the run back in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, Jordan Praytor doubled down the right field line. Staci Ramsey then doubled to right center to score Praytor from second to cut the lead to one, 3-2.
Castle led off the top of the seventh with a double to left center for the Tigers. With one out, she moved to third on a wild pitch. Soto then nailed a line drive into center field, but it was caught by Brittany Rogers, who was able to get the ball home and keep Castle from advancing.
Alabama then intentionally walked Klein and Hill to load the bases. Delahoussaye then hit a ball into shallow center field. Rogers came in and made a sliding catch to end the inning and rob at least one run, if not two.
That play would not prove to be the difference maker as Turner retired the Crimson Tide in order in the bottom half of the inning to end the game, striking out VanBrakle before getting a ground out and a pop out to complete the series win.
VanBrakle started and took the loss to drop to 21-4 on the season. She allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts in five innings. Owens came on in relief in the sixth and allowed one hits with two walks in two innings.
LSU returns home for a mid-week series with Mississippi State. The Tigers will face the Bulldogs on Wednesday in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. The series will conclude with a single game on Thursday at 5 p.m.