ATHENS, Ga. — The No. 20 LSU softball team scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning but its comeback effort fell short 6-5 against No. 8 Georgia Saturday afternoon at the UGA Softball Complex.
Game two was suspended due to rain with the Bulldogs holding a 4-3 edge in the top of the fourth inning. LSU had the bases loaded with Rachel Mitchell at-bat and one out. Play is scheduled to resume Sunday at 10 a.m. CT
LSU (15-6, 2-2 SEC) had to deal with rainy conditions and was playing its first road game since opening weekend in Hawai`i.
“It was a miserable day to play softball,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “When you’re soaking wet and it’s below 40 degrees, you have to be tougher than the elements. To our credit, we battled and never quit before the final out.”
Down 6-3 heading into the seventh inning, Juliana Santos ignited the Tigers with a leadoff double into the right centerfield gap. Ashley Langoni reached on a fielding error by UGA pitcher Sarah McCloud to put runners on the corners with no one out.
LSU pulled back to 6-4 as Ashley Applegate reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Santos and forced Langoni out at second base.
An Anissa Young single followed by a Morgan Russell walk loaded the bases for Jessica Mouse, who battled back from a 0-2 count. She drew even at 2-2 and belted a single to left field drawing LSU within 6-5.
Kirsten Shortridge grounded out to UGA shortstop Kristin Schnake, who threw home to force Young out at the plate. The Bulldogs turned to Christie Hamilton, and she struck out Jazz Jackson to secure the 6-5 win.
Cody Trahan had her streak of five consecutive wins in the circle come to close. She registered eight strikeouts against five walks and was touched up for three home runs.
“The pitchers have to do a better job of hitting their spots and keeping the ball in the ballpark,” Girouard said. “The ball hit too much of the plate and you’re going to pay for those types of mistakes in this league.”
Georgia (16-4, 1-2 SEC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning aided by a Taylor Schlopy home run and an unearned run. The Bulldogs took advantage on a leadoff walk, a wild pitch and pass ball to extend the lead to 3-0 in the second inning.
LSU trimmed the deficit to 3-2 on a two-run triple by Langoni in the third inning.
“Ashley didn’t practice all week, but came out in our walkthrough last night looking good to go,” Girouard said. “It’s an added bonus to have her back in the lineup.”
Megan Wiggins knocked a home run in the home half of the frame and added a bases loaded walk to make it 5-2 through four innings.
The Tigers manufactured a run in the sixth inning as Jazz Jackson slapped her third hit of the afternoon with a RBI-single. The three hits for Jackson matched a season-high.
Schlopy responded with her second homer of the afternoon to give Georgia a 6-3 advantage heading into the seventh inning.
Game two of the series will resume at 10 a.m. CT and live video is available to GeauxZone subscribers. Live stats also are available on LSUSports.net