THIBODAUX, La. – The No. 25 LSU softball team used a balanced offensive attack as eight different players recorded hits during an 8-0 five-inning romp over Nicholls Wednesday at the Colonel Softball Complex.
“We hit the ball extremely hard, and it was a great effort by a bunch of Tigers,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “They opened the door for us, and we slammed it shut. Meghan did a fantastic job of controlling them again like she did earlier in the season. It also was important for us to get Rachelle some innings and get her back on track.”
The Tigers (18-12) broke the game open and sent 12 batters to the plate during a seven-run third inning. Already up 1-0, Simone Heyward ignited the frame with a leadoff walk and stole second base. She came around to score on an Ashley Langoni RBI double to centerfield.
LSU loaded the bases as Anissa Young and Tammy Wray drew back-to-back walks. Morgan Russell and Jacee Blades smacked RBI singles to extend the lead to 4-0.
With the bases still loaded, Tiffany Shaw was hit-by-a-pitch and Heyward legged out a RBI infield single to push the advantage to 6-0. The last two runs of the frame scored via a Nicholls throwing error for the final margin of 8-0.
LSU opened the scoring in the second inning as Wray smoked a 1-1 offering over the left centerfield fence to put the Tigers ahead 1-0. For Wray, it was her fourth dinger of the season.
LSU’s pitching duo of Meghan Patterson and Rachele Fico combined for 10 strikeouts in the circle. Patterson notched the win to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Ashley Ray provided both hits for the Colonels (8-19).
After its SEC bye weekend, LSU returns to action for a Tuesday tilt at Southeastern Louisiana. First pitch is on-tap for 6 p.m. in Hammond.
Fans can follow all the action from Hammond via live stats on www.LSUsports.net/livestats along with in-game updates via the program’s social media pages at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball and www.Twitter.com/LSU_Softball.