The LSU softball team just can’t seem to catch a break.
The Tigers have experienced one of the toughest stretches in the country, playing two top-10 teams and the defending national champion in the last three weekends.
Next up? LSU will face the No. 2 team in the nation with a potential National Player of the Year on the mound.
LSU (20-15, 2-7 Southeastern Conference) will end the most brutal part of its schedule and begin a seven-game home stand with a three-game series against Tennessee (31-3, 8-1 SEC) starting today at Tiger Park.
“We knew these five weeks were a very rough stretch, the roughest I’ve been a part of since I’ve been part of this program,” said coach Beth Torina. “It is what it is. Our goal is just to stay the course and stay positive and know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel here in the next
couple weeks.”
The Tigers’ rough start to conference play has dropped them to last place in the SEC, a far cry from their top 20 ranking to begin the season. A major problem has been the team’s failures in close games, going 1-5 in games decided by two runs or less since March 8.
LSU did gain some confidence entering the series with a midweek 14-1 victory against UL-Monroe Tuesday. An 11-run fourth inning, including a grand slam from junior utility player Kailey McCasland, keyed the Tigers to victory.
The benefit to this series is a long-awaited return home to Tiger Park, with LSU playing its first home game in nearly three weeks. Torina said her players’ spirits should be lifted with the return of a home crowd and familiar setting.
“We’ve been on the road for a long time. It’s tough on our kids,” Torina said. “They’re tired. They’re worn out. And it’s always great to be in front of the Tigers’ fans. They really boost our spirits and give us confidence. It’s nice to have people on our side.”
Tennessee comes into the series as one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning its last eight games. The Lady Volunteers are led by an offense with 41 home runs and a pitching staff with a combined earned run average under 2.00.
Senior pitcher Ellen Renfroe is the dominant force of Tennessee, sporting a 21-0 record with a 1.29 ERA, while taking three SEC Pitcher of the Week awards this season alone.
Renfroe was essential in the Lady Volunteers’ sweep last week against then-No. 4 Florida. She received the win in all three games, allowing nine hits and four runs with 20 strikeouts in her 16 innings of work.
Torina said Renfroe is probably the best pitcher in the country, but this is the type of challenge that brought her players to LSU.
Most importantly, this weekend’s games are seen as a launching pad for the rest of SEC play. If the Tigers can have success in the final series of such a treacherous stretch, some players say it can lead to confidence for the rest of the season.
“Basically, we’re at probably the lowest point of our season right now,” said freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello. “You really can only go up from here. We know what we need to work on, and I feel like we will be prepared.”