BATON ROUGE – The No. 19 LSU softball team claimed the Wilson/DeMarini Tiger Classic championship in style, as Ashley Langoni blasted a walk-off home run over the left field fence to cap an 8-0 triumph over Virginia in six innings Sunday at Tiger Park.
The homer capped a 3-for-4 day for Langoni, who matched a career-best with four RBIs. She also provided a RBI-single and a two-run double to finish the tournament with seven RBIs and earn All-Tournament accolades.
“That’s what I’ve been working on this year, because usually I just want to hit a home run,” Langoni said. “Once I start getting the singles and the doubles, I get more confidence in myself to where I come up and hit a bomb.”
The Tigers (7-4) opened up their arsenal early and often, knocking Virginia pitcher Melanie Mitchell for two runs on four hits in the first inning. Langoni and Courtney Hollier provided back-to-back RBI singles with two outs to score Ashley Applegate and Rachel Mitchell, respectively.
The second inning was much of the same as a leadoff double from catcher Morgan Russell set the tone for another productive inning. The Tigers scored two more runs on an Ashley Applegate double to right field that chased UVA’s (2-5) Mitchell from the game after only two innings of work.
LSU also was bolstered by a strong defensive effort that backed up a fine performance from Cody Trahan in the circle. The senior right-hander kept a clean sheet through all six innings to earn the first complete game shutout by an LSU pitcher this season.
“Once again, we had stellar pitching – pitching good enough to win any ballgame, and that’s way ahead of the curve,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “If you have something in the circle that can stop the other team, you’re way ahead of the game. We played tremendous defense all weekend.”
Trahan was efficient throughout as she struck out four and issued no walks, while allowing a pair of singles. Her 65 pitches were less than half of the 141 that Virginia’s two pitchers required. Additionally, she threw a first-pitch strike to the first 11 batters she faced.
“I liked the start of the game. Everything was sharp and felt pretty good,” Trahan said. “As the game went on, the pitches didn’t look quite as sharp as the beginning. I think from this game I’m going to take trying to work at that same level of play throughout the game.”
The Tigers put the game out of reach in with a two-out rally in the fourth inning fueled by Mitchell and Anissa Young walks. Langoni and Hollier teamed for a trio of RBIs to make it 7-0. Langoni ripped a two-run double that bounced off the top of the centerfield fence to score Mitchell and pinch runner Katie Guillory, while Hollier knocked another RBI-single for her first career multi-RBI game.
Langoni’s game-ending blast in the sixth inning capped off an impressive day. She was joined by Applegate, Hollier and Rachele Fico on the Wilson/DeMarini Tiger Classic All-Tournament team.
No. 4 Michigan defeated Oklahoma State 8-1 in the consolation game of the tournament.
LSU continues its 18-game home stand Wednesday against Southeastern Louisiana. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. with live stats available on LSUSports.net and in-game updates via www.twitter.com/lsu_softball.
2010 Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team
Ashley Applegate, LSU
Bree Evans, Michigan
Rachele Fico, LSU
Courtney Hollier, LSU
Ashley Langoni, LSU
Sarah Tacke, Virginia
Jordan Taylor*, Michigan
Maggie Viefhaus, Michigan
Julie Ward, Oklahoma State
* Most Valuable Player
2010 Tiger Classic
LSU vs. Virginia
February 21, 2010
Head Coach Yvette Girouard
On the team’s play throughout the tournament…
“Once again, we had stellar pitching – pitching good enough to win any ballgame, and that’s way ahead of the curve. If you have something in the circle that can stop the other team, you’re way ahead of the game. We swung the bats a little bit better, but we’ve still got some that need to ignite. We played tremendous defense all weekend. I would have loved to have the win over Michigan. We had some opportunities and should have taken a few more chances. You have to give credit to the opponent. We were overmatched [in that game].”
On Cody Trahan‘s efficient performance today…
“That’s been her bugaboo for her whole career, that she didn’t work ahead. That was awesome today. I thought she looked phenomenal in the fall before she got hurt and sick and hurt again. It’s a shame it’s her senior year, but we’re hoping we can ease her back in.”
On Ashley Langoni‘s consistency this year…
“She fought to get in the lineup [last season]. She was very disappointed as a freshman that she didn’t get to play more. Once she got her everyday opportunity, she grabbed it and ran with it.”
On Ashley Applegate swinging the bat freely today…
“When we recruited her, she was primarily a slap hitter. In this game, unless you have primo speed, you’ve got to be able to have different weapons in your short game. We let her swing away because she’s got a really good eye.”
On Courtney Hollier‘s first career multi-RBI game…
“Once again, a kid who looks like dynamite in practice but hasn’t been able to carry it over to the game. Now that she has an everyday role, she can relax a little bit knowing that she’s not going to get pulled [from the lineup] if she doesn’t hit. She looks fantastic in batting practice and practice every day, so I’m just glad that it’s translating to game days.”
On facing Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday…
“I always remind the team that [losses to] in-state schools probably cost us a home regional, as ridiculous as it may seem. We always have to remember that an in-state school will circle that on their schedule.”
Leftfielder Ashley Langoni
On her approach at the plate…
“I feel really calm and I’m really relaxed in there. I’m glad I’m being more consistent this year. I’m just seeing the ball really well.”
On not trying to force home run swings…
“That’s what I’ve been working on this year, because usually I just want to hit a home run. Once I start getting the singles and the doubles, I get more confidence in myself to where I come up and hit a bomb.”
On going 4-1 this weekend after finishing 2-3 in the Texas Invitational…
“As a team, we hate losing. It feels good to come out, hit and be aggressive like we were.”
Pitcher Cody Trahan
On the differences between today and her first start…
“I just tried to stay more relaxed. Obviously, I was out for a little bit. Coming back, I think I was a little tense in that first game and I didn’t bring my bullpen workout to the field. Once I got that down, I just relaxed and threw my game.”
On throwing first-pitch strikes to her first 11 batters today…
“It’s always an emphasis to get ahead. We want to work ahead without letting the batter get the first pitch. It’s very important to work ahead because that way we get to throw whatever we want later on.”
On having a solid four-pitcher rotation…
“It’s awesome, I love it. It’s a lot less stress on everybody and lifts a load off everybody’s shoulders a little bit. It’s a friendly competition going on, which is also a great thing because it keeps everybody sharp and on their game to make sure we get our playing time. Just having those extra girls is awesome.”
On what she takes away from this start…
“I liked the start of the game. Everything was sharp and felt pretty good. As the game went on, the pitches didn’t look quite as sharp as the beginning. I think from this game I’m going to take trying to work at that same level of play throughout the game.”