No. 4 LSU Hosts Minnesota, South Alabama for LSU Round Robin Tournament

The Jaguars have lost their last two games after falling on the road to McNeese, 8-2, Wednesday night. USA has a .277 batting average on 138 hits. Infielder Gabby Stagner does much of the heavy lifting, batting .357 and leading the team with 20 hits, including eight home runs, and has 23 RBI and 14 runs.

South Alabama has a 5.52 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 129.1 innings in the circle. Pitcher Ryley Harrison (3-3) leads the staff with 36 strikeouts in 44.0 innings and has a 3.98 ERA.

LSU is riding an eight-game winning streak against South Alabama, including a pair of wins at the 2022 Tiger Classic when the clubs last played each other.

Minnesota had a five-game winning streak before dropping an 8-6 decision in extra innings to St. Thomas to conclude the Gopher Indoor Classic. The Golden Gophers have a .272 batting average and a 4.74 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 125.1 innings.

Infielder Nani Valencia paces Minnesota’s offense with a .419 batting average and a team-high 26 hits and 12 runs. She also has nine RBI this season. Utility pitcher Schwartz (2-6) has a 3.92 ERA in 57.1 innings and has a team-best 49 strikeouts. Pitcher Presley Hosick has the best record at 5-3 and has struck out 18 in 43.1 innings.

Although trailing in the all-time series, LSU won its last game against Minnesota, a 3-0 shutout at the 2023 Judi Garman Classic. When playing at Tiger Park, the Tigers are 0-2 against the Golden Gophers. Minnesota makes its first trip to Baton Rouge since 2017.

Nicholls pulled off back-to-back five-inning sweeps over Alcorn State Wednesday night and are winners in three of its last five games.

The Colonels offense has started strong, batting .321 and has 92 hits, including 14 extra-base hits with 65 runs and 52 RBI. Infielder Ally Mooneyham leads the team with a .444 batting average, and utility player Claire Sisco follows with a .414 average. Both players have 12 hits, and Sisco leads the team with five stolen bases.

Nicholls’ pitching staff has a 5.12 ERA. Averi Paden (1-3) leads the pitching staff with 13 strikeouts in 18.2 innings pitched. She has a 3.75 ERA and has allowed 30 hits and 19 runs.

The Tigers have won 35 consecutive games against Nicholls dating back to 2000 and are 25-1 when the teams play in Baton Rouge.