BATON ROUGE – Anissa Young cranked a RBI single down the left field line during the third inning en route to Tournament MVP honors as the No. 21 LSU softball team knocked off No. 12 Texas 2-1 Sunday to wrap up the Purple & Gold Challenge at Tiger Park.
Young was joined by Brittany Mack, Meghan Patterson and Tiffany Shaw on the All-Tournament Team as the Tigers (15-5) snapped a five-game losing streak to Top 25 opponents dating back to last season.
Rachele Fico worked her way around a career-high six walks and made critical pitches in key spots to strand 10 Texas baserunners, five in scoring position. She notched seven strikeouts and moved to 5-4 on the season.
“It was a great atmosphere. Obviously, we have a ton of respect for the Texas program,” head coach Yvette Girouard said. “[Texas’] Blaire Luna is one of the premier pitchers in the country, but I thought Rachele Fico was up to the test. I thought she was very effective without throwing her best stuff and without throwing hard. She gutted it out, and our team made just enough things happen on offense to win the game.”
LSU jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the first inning after Tiffany Shaw legged out an infield single. She stole second base and came around to score on a two-out Tammy Wray RBI single. It marked the 10th time in 20 games that the Tigers have dented the scoreboard with a first-inning run this season. The run also ended Texas’ 40-inning scoreless inning streak that stretched over six games.
The Longhorns drew even during the third inning and took advantage of a Taylor Hoagland leadoff walk. After Hoagland stole second, Lexy Bennett provided the equalizer with a RBI double into the left centerfield gap to make it 1-1.
LSU struck right back in the home half of the frame using a similar script. Simone Heyward coaxed an opening walk and moved into scoring position on a Shaw sacrifice bunt. On a 0-1 offering, Young smashed a RBI single down the left field line past the diving third baseman UT Nadia Taylor to put the Tiger back in-front, 2-1.
“It was great to come back this weekend and get a win against a great team like Texas,” Shaw said. “We really want to play hard this year for Coach Girouard and send her out on a good note.”
Fico stranded multiple Texas runners in the fourth and sixth innings. She also worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning aided by a diving Alex Boulet catch on a line drive from her right field post off the bat of UT catcher Amy Hooks to secure the 2-1 victory.
“Boulet makes that play every day in practice, so it paid off,” Girouard said. “We talk about going hard every day in practice so that when the game time comes you’ve made that play routine, and she makes that play every day for us.”
LSU heads into SEC action Wednesday as No. 2 Florida visits Tiger Park. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 5 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN 104.5 and The X 104.9 FM with Patrick Wright on the call.
Live stats also are available on LSUsports.net/livestats and fans can follow in-game updates via the program’s social media pages at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball and www.Twitter.com/LSU_Softball.
The Tiger Park Ticket Booth will open Wednesday at 4 p.m. and fans can purchase tickets on-site starting at $5 for adult general admission. Additional ticket information for LSU’s remaining home schedule that features SEC heavyweights Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee is available at www.LSUtix.net.
Softball Postgame Quotes
LSU vs. Texas – March 6, 2011
LSU HEAD COACH YVETTE GIROUARD
On the big win against No. 12 Texas …
“It was a great atmosphere. Obviously, we have a ton of respect for the Texas program. Blaire Luna is one of the premier pitchers in the country, but I thought Rachele Fico was up to the test. She didn’t throw a bullpen all week long because she’s been a little hurt, so we’ve been resting her trying to get her back. I thought she was very effective without throwing her best stuff and without throwing hard. She gutted it out, and our team made just enough things happen on offense to win the game.”
On Alex Boulet‘s diving play in the top of the seventh inning …
“Boulet makes that play every day in practice, so it paid off. We talk about going hard every day in practice so that when the game time comes you’ve made that play routine, and she makes that play every day for us.”
On having great game before heading into SEC play this week …
“It helps to be home in your own environment. No question this is as hard as we’ve probably ever started off in the SEC hosting Florida and then having to go to Georgia. We have to be really focused to be successful.”
On Tiffany Shaw having a banner weekend …
“Obviously, she’s waited her turn. She’s got that incredible touch and she and Simone (Heyward) are the fastest players on our team. It gives us a wonderful dimension with that speed aspect and creating havoc.”
On the tough doubleheader against Florida at home on Wednesday to start SEC play …
“If you like college softball, even if you don’t pull for the Tigers, you can come watch an extremely good Florida program. They’re maybe one of the top teams in the nation and could be No. 1 in the country. They have a ton of hitters, they can swing the bats with a lot of confidence, and they have a lot of swagger. The last time we played [at the 2010 SEC Tournament] it was in favor of the Tigers, so I’m sure they remember that.”
LSU DP TIFFANY SHAW
On getting the big win against Texas to get back on the winning track …
“It was great to come back this weekend and get a win against a great team like Texas. We really want to play hard this year for Coach Girouard and send her out on a good note.”
On waiting her turn for three years and now finding a place in the starting lineup …
“It’s been really nice this year. Coach Girouard said to keep working hard and when your time comes be ready. I’ve just enjoyed it.”
On Alex Boulet‘s diving play in the top of the seventh inning …
“That was awesome. She always does a fantastic job in practice, and we always have the confidence that she’s going to make the big play.”
On the matchup with Florida to start SEC play …
“It’s going to be a good matchup on Wednesday. We’re really ready to face the Gators, and we’re going to work hard this week in practice and give it all we’ve got on Wednesday.”