After a much needed 9-0 victory over Nicholls State on Wednesday, the Tigers head to Norman, Okla., to take on the defending National Champion Sooners this weekend in a two game series. 
The LSU softball team (19-10, Southeastern Conference 2-4), looks to defeat another ranked opponent in No. 22 Oklahoma (19-8) after dropping the series to No. 1 Florida.
Like LSU, Oklahoma has faced the challenge of replacing one of the best pitchers in the nation, after then-senior pitcher Keilani Ricketts graduated in 2013, ending her career with a national championship and a 1.23 ERA. 
The Sooners’ rotation is led by sophomore pitcher Kelsey Stevens (12-5), who has posted a 2.53 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 105 IP.
“It looks like they are pitching by committee a lot of times,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “[Stevens] has done the majority of it for them, so we will prepare for her and see what else they throw at us.”
For the Tigers, freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello has stepped up to help senior pitcher Ashley Czechner lead the Tigers in the pitcher’s circle. Corbello leads the team with a 1.53 ERA and 93 strikeouts.
While her performance against Nicholls State was nothing short of dominant, with no walks and 12 strikeouts, Corbello looks prepared heading into the weekend series. 
“I feel likes sometimes we play to our competition,” Corbello said. “We beat Washington. We beat Florida. I feel like we can beat anyone in the country.”
At the plate, freshman catcher Sahvanna Jaquish leads a Tiger lineup that has hit a combined .320 and 29 home runs. 
Jaquish has accounted for a team-leading eight home runs and 27 RBIs. 
“I feel like our team can step up to play any team in any game,” said Jaquish. “It is consistency that we need to work on now.”
Against   No. 1 Florida and other ranked opponents, the Tigers have relied on youth with Corbello, Jaquish, freshman infielder Constance Quinn and freshman outfielder Bailey Landry stepping up in key situations to power the Tigers. 
“Corbello has gone the distance in a lot of games,” Torina said. “We’ve put her out there and she’s been able to close the door and finish people.”