OXFORD, Miss. – The ninth ranked Lady Tigers turned a school record of three double plays in game one to top the Rebels, 7-1, and Britni Sneed and her defense held them scoreless in the second game to win 1-0.
“I am really pleased with the outcome of the weekend,” said head coach Glenn Moore. “There were some close calls in the last game, and Ole Miss had a few opportunities. Trena came up with a big at bat that scored our one run which is all Britni needed. I am really pleased with our pitching this weekend. We were a little inconsistent defensively, but our pitching and hitting were consistent.”
The Tigers are now 31-7 for the season and 9-1 in Southeastern Conference play. Ole Miss falls to 17-26 for the season and 4-8 in SEC play.
LSU set a new school record by turning three double plays in game one against Ole Miss. Previously LSU had two double plays in nine different games.
In the first, second baseman Stephanie Hastings and shortstop Tara Asbill both singled to center field to start the hitting for the Tigers. Third baseman Ashlee Ducote then picked up the RBI when Hastings scored on her single to left field. First baseman Shaunte’ Fremin then drew a walk to load the bases for center fielder Stacey Newton who singled to center field to drive in Asbill and Ducote. The Tigers took at 3 run lead going into the bottom of the first.
In the bottom of the second, the Rebels put a runner on base when third baseman Kaci Coffee reached first on an error by Asbill. The Tigers quickly turned a double play with the next batter to keep Ole Miss scoreless.
LSU increased their lead when Ducote singled to left field to start the third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Pinch runner Janell Deslattes also came across the plate for the Tigers on an RBI single by right fielder Trena Peel.
In the bottom of the third, the Rebels’ shortstop Mandy Shklar singled with loaded bases to send home first baseman Korrie Kashuba to bring the score to 5-1.
In the top of the sixth, Asbill hit her seventh home run of the season to score herself and Hastings bringing the score to 7-1.
The Tiger bats combined for 12 hits off of Rebel pitchers Holly Burris and Jennifer Huges. Ducote went 3-for-4 during the game.
Pitcher Ashley Lewis picked up her 12th win for the Tigers striking out four and only allowing two hits. She was relieved by Julie Stashko in the fifth, giving up only one hit and retiring one batter at the plate.
A light rain began in the second inning of game two, and the game remained scoreless until the top of the fifth when Newton reached first on an error by third baseman Coffee. Newton then made it home on a double by right fielder Trena Peel to put the Tigers ahead 1-0.
The Tigers would hold on to the victory with pitcher Sneed striking out 11 batters and only allowing two hits. Sneed is now 12-5 for the season.
LSU will face Louisiana-Lafayette Wednesday night in a double header at 5 p.m. The games can be seen on College-Sports Southeast or heard on the LSU Sports Network (107.3).