The LSU softball team has traveled down the long and winding road that is pre-Southeastern Conference play to finally reach its destination against Mississippi State this weekend.

Battling 19 different teams in 21 games so far this season led the Tigers to a No. 12 ranking and a 17-4 record that includes three wins against top-15 programs.

However, LSU surrendered 33 runs in its last five games, the highest total of any five-game stretch this season. The Tigers have allowed 22 runs in all other contests in 2013.

“I’d much rather be 19-2 right now instead of 17-4 but it is what it is,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “I’m glad we’re doing some of these things early that we can learn from it and I think facing a little bit of adversity early in the season is good for us.”

This weekend will be the last of a three-week road trip and the first weekend Torina must prepare her players for only one opponent.

“It’s really nice to be able to prepare for one opponent instead of trying to prepare for five,” Torina said. “I know it’s a breath of fresh air for the coaches to not have to worry about a scouting report for five different teams. I think it helps us facing one opponent.”

Torina said the change in schedule is a “breath of fresh air” to her and her coaches.

One scouting resource LSU won’t be tapping this weekend is freshman Bianka Bell’s sister being an outfielder for the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State redshirt sophomore Briana Bell hit a seventh-inning, two-RBI double to propel Mississippi State to a win against Syracuse last weekend.

“I’ve already texted her and made sure, on her day off, she’s still working, and let her know I’m working, too,” Bianka Bell said. “She had a great weekend, actually, and I didn’t do so well. She’s kind of rubbing that in my face right now and trying to use that to hype her up for this weekend.”

Bell said her parents are dividing the house this weekend, half representing LSU and half representing Mississippi State.