The recently scorching bats finally cooled off for the No. 10 LSU softball team in its 1-0 win against Nicholls State on Sunday night as the Tigers completed a five-win sweep of the competition at the Purple and Gold Challenge.
The weekend’s previous four matchups were an offensive exhibition for the Tigers who crossed the plate a combined 25 times Friday and Saturday.
LSU coach Beth Torina said the drop-off in offensive production came from a low ball style of pitcher her team wasn’t as prepared for after four games of pitchers throwing high in the strike zone.
“When we have to prepare for five different opponents, it’s hard to get a specific focus,” Torina said. “We’ve definitely got to figure out how to make adjustments a little better. We’ve got to be able to make the adjustment from up in the zone to down in the zone.”
Before Sunday night, LSU put four balls over the fence at the Purple and Gold Challenge to bring the total to eight in the past five days including the team’s trip to Ole Miss earlier in the week during which the Tigers hit four long balls in one game. LSU hit only 13 home runs in all of 2012.
Two Tigers — senior Katie Guillory and freshman Bianka Bell — hit their first career home runs this weekend against North Dakota State and Virginia, respectively, with Bell hitting another home run in the team’s second game against Virginia on Saturday.
Despite the drop in offensive production against Nicholls, the Tigers continued to dominate the start of games, outscoring opponents 18-0 in the first inning. Sunday night was no different as junior Tammy Wray hit the eventual game-winning RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the first.
“Batting behind Bianka and Falcon, it’s such a strong 1-2-3 right there,” Wray said. “I’m so confident that they’re going to get on [base] that it makes my job so much easier. You’re just so confident that they’re going to get on and you’re going to do your job and get them in.”
The Tigers relied on solid pitching all weekend from senior Rachele Fico and junior Meghan Patterson who combined for 32 strikeouts in five games — including Patterson’s eight retirements against Nicholls State.
“Luckily we got a great pitching performance out of Meghan Patterson today,” Torina said. “She’s been so solid lately that coming out and getting the final win today at this tournament is fitting. … Of course we want more out of our offense, but we’ll take our five wins this weekend.”
