Reeling after its third conference series loss of 2014, the LSU softball team (19-15, 2-7 Southeastern Conference) will try to gain momentum against University of Louisiana-Monroe (15-13, 1-5 Sun Belt) today to finish a seven-game road stretch before Tennessee comes to Tiger Park for an SEC series this weekend.
The Tigers have dropped five of their last six games, including a two-game series sweep by defending national champion No. 22 Oklahoma and a three-game conference series sweep by No. 7 Alabama.
“Schedule-wise, it doesn’t get much easier for us, but the good thing about it is that we get to go back home to Tiger Park and there we feel like we can compete with anyone there,” said LSU coach Beth Torina.
The struggling Tigers have produced only six runs in their last five games despite producing 32 hits in the same stretch.
The Warhawks come into the matchup having lost six of their last eight games, which includes being swept by No. 12 South Alabama in a three-game Sun Belt series last weekend.
Despite their two recent conference series losses, ULM is 10-3 in its home park, while LSU is 3-7 on the road.
Sophomore infielder Faith Bohack, who is hitting .388, leads the Warhawks’ lineup against a Tigers’ rotation spearheaded by freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello, posting a 2.08 ERA in 97.2 innings pitched and 107 strikeouts.
Corbello will be eager to bounce back from her outings against Alabama, where she allowed nine earned runs and 10 walks while earning only nine strikeouts in 9 innings pitched.
The Tigers’ lineup has an opportunity against the Warhawks’ rotation that averages a 4.66 ERA and has allowed 19 home runs this season.
LSU’s lineup is led by freshman catcher Sahvanna Jaquish, who has hit nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 2014.
The Tigers’ speed will have an opportunity to shine against ULM. Junior outfielder A.J. Andrews leads the team with 24 steals on 25 attempts this season.