TEMPE, Ariz. — Casey Faile knocked an RBI-single down the left field line with one out in the sixth inning to score pinch runner Courtney Hollier to lift the No. 23 LSU softball team to a 3-2 victory over Cal State Fullerton Friday at Farrington Stadium to open the NCAA Tempe Regional.
With one out in the seventh inning, the Tigers (33-16-1) also got an excellent defensive play as Jessica Mouse turned a 5-3 double play to end the game.
LSU advances to face Arizona State Saturday at 5 p.m. in the winner’s bracket game. The game will be televised by ESPN U and also will be broadcasted on The X 104.5/104.9 FM in the Baton Rouge area.
Cody Trahan went the distance for LSU scattering two runs on six hits. She added seven strikeouts to improve to 12-6 in the circle.
Rachel Mitchell drew a two-out walk for LSU in the first inning and came around to score on a Juliana Santos RBI-triple into the right centerfield gap to make it 1-0.
Cal State Fullerton (29-20) put runners on first and second with two outs in the third inning on an Ari Cervantes single and a Torrie Anderson walk. Courtney Martinez belted a single to left field where Ashley Langoni fired a bullet to the plate to gun down Cervantes and keep the score at 1-0.
The Tigers used that momentum and tacked on a run in the third inning. Kirsten Shortridge led off the frame with a double, while Ashley Applegate reached on a fielder’s choice and Mitchell added a bunt single to load the bases. Two batters later, Anissa Young platted Applegate on a fielder’s choice to push the LSU advantage to 2-0.
The Titans evened the score at 2-2 in the fourth inning aided by a pair of solo home runs from Lauren Lupinetti and Trina Harrison.