LSU softball defeated Texas 7-4 in a top 3 matchup, proving it deserves to be in the conversation of national championship teams.

“It was another day we felt really good on the field,” starting pitcher Sydney Berzon said. “We’re moving in the right direction. This is going to be a really good year for us.” 

The game was a heavily offensive battle from beginning to end.

No. 2 LSU got on the board early, scoring five runs in just the first inning.

“That set the tone,” head coach Beth Torina said. “They came out big.”

Center fielder Ciara Briggs led things off for the Tigers with an infield single. After shortstop Taylor Pleasants was hit by a pitch, first baseman Raeleen Gutierrez hit a line drive through the Longhorns’ shortstop to score Briggs.

Catcher Maci Bergeron walked to load the bases, then second baseman Karli Petty was hit by a pitch to score the second run. With bases loaded, designated player Kelley Lynch hit a two-out double to clear the bases, increasing LSU’s lead to 5-0.

After a four-batter inning, LSU was back in the dugout, ready to score another five runs.

“Our offensive staff just had such a great plan,” Torina said. “It was well executed by our team.”

Briggs bunted her way to first then stole second on a wild pitch. Texas’ first baseman Joley Mitchell noted an error on a hard ground ball from Ali Newland, scoring LSU’s sixth run of the game.

Texas began to rally in the top of the third, where it scored two runs off of a ground ball through the 5-6 hole. With bases loaded, designated player Reese Atwood sac-flied to left field, scoring Texas’ third and final run of the inning.

Both teams earned their final run in the fourth inning, making the final score 7-4. 

LSU’s bats blew through three Texas pitchers, whereas Berzon held her ground for the Tigers.

Berzon pitched all seven innings, recording four strikeouts and only one walk.

“I truly, even though they scored runs, never felt like there was a moment where they really got to her,” Torina said. “That’s why I stuck with her as long as I did.”

LSU’s defense was back to its usual standard of excellence after having an off-week against Kentucky.

The Tigers made all the routine plays with the exception of one error from Pleasants. They also made some bonus plays to keep the Longhorns off of bases.

Their first time in the field, Gutierrez and Pleasants completed a 3-6-3 double play to close out the top of the first.

Newland also showed off her exceptional outfield skills in left field, making a diving catch in the top of the third to prevent multiple runners from scoring.

The Tigers are trying to not focus too much on the win, as they have their first SEC series ahead of them against Ole Miss.

“We have to show up against Ole Miss, or else everything we did today is gone,” Torina said.

But no matter who the Tigers are playing, they’re only focused on what they can do, how they can play and whether or not they execute.

“We play as the Tigers,” Berzon said. “We’re not really focused on who’s on the other side. We’re here to play our best game.”