On a holiday considered lucky, LSU softball couldn’t find its fortune. The Tigers lost their first game of the season 5-2 to Ole Miss on Saint Patrick’s Day.
After shutting out the Rebels 3-0 in the first game of the series, LSU wasn’t able to hold off Ole Miss in game two. This defeat ended the Tiger’s 24-game winning streak.
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“No one expects to have a perfect season … we’re still a solid team,” designated hitter Kelley Lynch said. “We’re still the same team we were before the game.”
LSU controlled the game for five innings with a 2-0 lead. The Tigers walked into the top of the sixth aiming to hold their advantage. But that didn’t last long.
Ole Miss left fielder Jaden Pone singled and center fielder Jalia Lassiter scored. The Rebels added another run to the board when catcher Lexie Brady singled to right field, bringing home Pone from second.
After LSU went scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, the Rebels kept their momentum going. They scored three more runs in the seventh inning.
LSU failed to score again but put two on base and had the potential tying run at the plate in its final at bat. Head Coach Beth Torina said the fight from her team was apparent even when down 5-2.
“We’re still continuing to show that we’re gritty and tough even when it’s not going our way,” Torina said. “I like that about this team, and I think that will take us a long way.”
LSU’s three errors contributed to the loss. Pitcher Sydney Berzon gave her infield easy outs, but they couldn’t make the routine plays.
Freshman Sierra Daniel tallied two errors at third base. In the seventh inning, runners were on first and second, but Daniel bobbled a ground ball. In attempting to get the out at third, she overthrew Taylor Pleasants, which allowed the runner to score. Ole Miss extended its lead to 5-2.
“That game was not a defining game for our season,” Lynch said. “We know that we didn’t come out and play the best that we could today, so everything is just an opportunity for us to learn and keep growing.”
Berzon had eight strikeouts but earned her first loss of the season after pitching nine wins for the Tigers.
Overall, Ole Miss had timely hits, which “worked out in their favor instead of ours today,” Lynch said.
LSU will finish the series against Ole Miss Monday night at 6 p.m.
“I really think we will be better after this moment … but I truly think we’ll be better tomorrow,” Torina said.
