Southeastern Conference play is finally here.
The No. 5 LSU softball team will open league play at home with a three-game series against Arkansas, starting with Game 1 tonight at 6 p.m. in Tiger Park.
The Tigers (22-0) look to continue their best start in program history against a Razorback (12-7) squad riding a nine-game winning streak, including a sweep of the Lion Classic Scramble in Hammond, Louisiana, last weekend.
“We’ve gotten to spend some time getting to know to Arkansas, which is nice having only one opponent versus five on the weekend,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “We’re making sure we are prepared to the type of pitching they’re going to show up with. We’re prepared to attack the strong offense that they’re going to bring.”
Throughout the early season, LSU has dominated with depth in its pitching rotation and lineup. But the Tigers’ pitchers will be tested by the top of the Razorbacks’ lineup that features senior utility player Devon Wallace, senior infielder Kasey Fagan and junior outfielder Stephanie Canfield.
Wallace sparks the Razorbacks from the leadoff spot with a .434 batting average and a .605 on-base percentage. She is second in the SEC behind LSU senior center fielder A.J. Andrews with 22 walks. Wallace has been on fire, hitting .733 in her last five games.
Fagan leads Arkansas in hits (27), run scored (16) and RBIs (17). She ranks third in the SEC with seven doubles.
Canfield’s speed has achieved nine stolen bases, which is the best mark on the team. At the plate, she leads Arkansas with three triples.
Wallace, Fagan and Canfield have combined to hit an average of .406 this season and have driven in 44 of Arkansas’ 87 total RBIs.
Through their first 22 games, the Tigers’ pitchers have dominated by posting a combined 0.99 ERA, .191 opposing batting average and have allowing only 10 extra-base hits. The rotation’s success has earned it the nickname “Fantastic Four” among its teammates and coaches.
Unlike most coaches who have determined rotations,
Torina said she can go with any one of her four pitchers depending on their matchup against the opponent’s lineup.
“You’ll see a different pitcher every night,” Torina said. “I don’t think it will be the same order this week as it is next week necessarily. We’re going to take one game at a time. Honestly, if somebody comes out and just dominates them early in the weekend, I’m not opposed to throwing them again on Sunday.”
The Tigers’ pitchers have posted 17 complete games, which leads the SEC. Freshman pitchers Carley Hoover and Allie Walljasper have combined to tally LSU’s only three saves.
For the freshman pitchers, the start of conference play means adjustment to an entirely different form of play with weekend series, making a pitcher’s job harder because hitters have the opportunity to get to know her weaknesses.
“Obviously it’s tough [because] it’s one of the best conferences [in softball],” Walljasper said. “I’m more excited to go out and see really good competition in the next few weeks.”
LSU has outscored its opponents 176-27 and notched 11 wins by mercy rule. The Tigers’ productivity at the plate stems from their dynamic combination of speed and power.
Andrews, the reigning NFCA National Player of the Week, leads the Tigers with .529 average. She tops SEC rankings in walks (23), on-base percentage (.658) and triples (7).
Power hitters junior shortstop Bianka Bell and sophomore catcher/infielder Sahvanna Jaquish have combined for 16 home runs and 68 of the Tigers’ 162 RBIs this season.
Sophomore pitcher Sydney Wright leads the Arkansas rotation with a 2.66 ERA while striking out 50 batters and walking only 16.
The Tigers will continue the series with Arkansas with Game 2 Saturday at 4 p.m. at Tiger Park. LSU will conclude the series against the Razorbacks on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.