The LSU softball team (32-20, 11-10 Southeastern Conference) closed its non-conference schedule Wednesday night with a 11-3 victory against Southeastern Louisiana (19-26, 10-14 Southland Conference).
LSU’s offense took control of the game early and did not look back, scoring a run in each inning, eventually ending the game via the mercy rule.
“One of our goals for the night was to continue scoring throughout, and they were able to put runs up in every inning,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “They set out to accomplish a goal, and I think they did that tonight.”
While freshman catcher Sahvanna Jaquish shined with a 3-4 performance, including a home run and three RBIs, the rest of the lineup performed for the Tigers, with seven different hitters driving in a run.
Senior outfielder Simone Heyward was a perfect 3-3 on the night, including a RBI and a double.
The Tigers got on the board in the first when Jaquish singled up the middle, scoring junior outfielder A.J. Andrews.
In the second, LSU’s lineup took advantage of mistakes by the SLU pitching staff, scoring two runs off of walks and extending the lead to three runs.
Senior third baseman Tammy Wray added another run with a RBI single in the third.
LSU continued its success in the fourth, driving in four runs, after leadoff double by Jaquish to start the inning, sophomore shortstop Bianka Bell stole second and freshman designated hitter Constance Quinn singled, scoring Jaquish.
Sophomore Sandra Simmons doubled later in the inning to score Bell and Quinn.
In the fifth, Jaquish drove in a solo home run, her 12th homer of the season.
To finish the game, Andrews singled in the sixth to drive in the Tigers’ final two run.
While the offense stole the spotlight, freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello had a solid night in the circle, allowing three walks and striking out five.
Although Corbello allowed three runs, all of them came from SLU’s senior infielder Tori Sheppard’s three-run shot in the fourth.
“She did a nice job of battling tonight, and I thought we played good defense behind her,” Torina said. “We still have to limit some of our free passes, but overall she kept us in it and was able to finish the game.”
The Tigers will finish their regular season with an SEC series against Mississippi State this weekend in Tiger Park.