The No. 25 LSU softball team (32-20, 11-10 Southeastern Conference) will end the season with a conference series against Mississippi State (37-16, 9-12 SEC) this weekend in Tiger Park.
After beginning the season with three straight SEC series losses, the Tigers enter their last conference series with four straight series wins, including a 9-3 record in their last 12 games. 
During this stretch, LSU’s lineup has developed into an efficient combination of power and speed, scoring five or more runs in eight games.
“I think the team as a whole is swinging with a lot of confidence and having quality at-bats,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “They are picking pitches that they want to hit, and I think they are being really patient and smart at the plate.”
The development of freshmen throughout this season has played a key role in the Tigers’ success. In the series against South Carolina and Ole Miss, freshman catcher Sahvanna Jaquish hit .600, including nine RBIs and two home runs. 
LSU’s lineup is led by Jaquish, who is hitting .338 with a team-leading 44 RBIs and 12 home runs, and junior outfielder A.J. Andrews, who is second in the SEC with 34 stolen bases this season. 
The Tigers hope to continue their offensive dominance against Mississippi State’s tough rotation, featuring redshirt senior Alison Owen and freshman Alexis Silkwood who have produced a combined 30 wins this season.
Owen is second in the SEC with 210 strikeouts and a 2.73 ERA in 159 innings pitched. Silkwood is eighth in the conference with 139 strikeouts and seventh in ERA at 2.10. 
LSU’s rotation, led by senior Ashley Czechner and freshman Baylee Corbello, aim to limit the free passes that have plagued them this season. 
In the Tigers’ three losses in their past four conference series, the rotation allowed a combined 22 earned runs and 14 walks while striking out only 12 batters. 
With a spot in the SEC tournament already clinched, the Tigers can use this series as an opportunity to prepare for postseason competition and focus on limiting free passes given to opponents. 
Mississippi State’s lineup is led by freshman infielder Caroline Seitz, hitting a team-leading .352, and senior catcher Sam Lenahan, who leads the team with 10 home runs. 
First pitch for game one of the series is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight in Tiger Park.