COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cody Trahan and Brittany Mack fired back-to-back shutouts as the No. 14 LSU softball team notched a pair of 5-0 and 9-0 victories over South Carolina to open SEC action Saturday at Beckham Field.
LSU (20-4, 2-0 SEC) pushed its winning streak to 15 games and improved to 33-8 under head coach Yvette Girouard during SEC opening weekend. The Tigers also have posted six straight shutout wins over South Carolina (9-13, 0-4 SEC) dating back to the 2007 season.
“We talked about a fast start to SEC play all week to the team,” Girouard said. “Our goal was to score early and often. I thought Cody and Brittany threw exceptionally well in the circle. They were in total control of all aspects.”
Trahan sat down 12 of the first 15 batters she faced aided by a trio of strikeouts in game one.
Courtney Hollier jumpstarted LSU’s offense with a leadoff single in the second inning. She moved to second base on an Allison Falcon sacrifice bunt and came around to score on a Jessica Mouse two-out, RBI-single.
Kirsten Shortridge ripped a single up-the-middle to put runners on the corners. Shortridge stole second base, her 21st of the season, and Mouse crossed the plate on a throwing error by USC catcher P.J. Fulmer to make it 2-0.
Three frames later, Shortridge teamed with Ashley Applegate set the table for Anissa Young, who cranked a three-run homer to left field to push the Tiger advantage to 5-0.
The Gamecocks loaded the bases on three soft singles during the home half of the fifth, but Trahan mowed down Laura Mendes to end the threat. The Little Cypress, Texas native retired seven of the last eight she faced to secure the 5-0 win.
Trahan racked up eight strikeouts to improve to 6-0 on the season. She also lowered her SEC-leading ERA to 0.18 and fired an economical 104 pitches.
Mack picked up right where Trahan left off and surrendered only an infield single in the third inning. Shortridge and Rachel Mitchell drove home three RBIs apiece, while Morgan Russell tallied a career-best three hits.
“We came together strong on the field and did everything we needed to do,” catcher Morgan Russell said. “Our defense played tremendously and our bats continue to roll. Both pitchers did an excellent job of hitting their spots. “
The Tigers opened the scoring and came away with two runs in the second inning. Russell knocked a RBI-single to plate Juliana Santos, who reached on a one-out walk. Falcon also reached on a walk and scored on a wild pitch after moving to third base on the Russell single.
Young added a RBI-single of her own in the third inning to take a 3-0 edge before LSU put the game out of reach with a trio of runs during the fourth and sixth innings.
Falcon, Russell and Mouse reached in succession to start the fourth. Shortridge coaxed a four-pitch walk, while Mitchell connected on a two-run single to right field to make it 6-0.
“It’s so great to see Rachel swinging the bat like she is capable of,” Girouard said. “I didn’t think she had a good junior year and had a slow start to this season. She’s turned back the clock to the old Rachel. That’s an excellent sign for us.”
Shortridge and Mitchell struck again in the sixth. Shortridge slapped a two-run single down the left field line, while Mitchell belted a RBI-double for the final touches of the 9-0 win.
The Gamecocks had only one ball leave the infield off Mack, who put down 12 straight batters to cap the 9-0 triumph.
“It felt great to have every pitch working,” Mack said. “They were breaking the way I wanted them to. We had a stressful travel day yesterday but we didn’t let that effect the way we played.”
Sunday’s series finale is set for 11 a.m. CT and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN Radio 104.5 and The X 104.9 FM in the Baton Rouge area. Patrick Wright and Matt Dunaway will call the action.
Live stats also are available in the Geaux Zone on LSUSports.net along with live in-game updates via www.twitter.com/lsu_softball.
“The luxury is we have Rachele [Fico] fresh to start tomorrow in the circle,” Girouard said. “We’re excited about the depth of our pitching staff. The weekend will be phenomenal if we can get the same result tomorrow.”