In its program debut as the No. 1 team in the nation, the LSU softball team took care of business against in-state opponent Nicholls State with a 6-1 victory in Tiger Park on Tuesday night. 
Despite scoring 27 runs in three games against then-No. 1 Florida last weekend, the Tigers (28-1, 5-1 SEC) started off slow against the Colonels (16-9) before breaking the game open in the fifth and sixth innings. 
“We have to play better than we did tonight,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “Nicholls is a much improved program. They have some athletes on their team, but we need to perform better than we did tonight, honestly.” 
Sophomore pitcher Baylee Corbello (7-0) shut down Nicholls early, retiring the first six batters she faced. 
But in the third, Nicholls sophomore shortstop Brooke Morris drove in a run to break the deadlock. Despite the miscues, Corbello said she wasn’t worried because of the talent in the lineup. 
“Because our offense is so good, I don’t have to worry about it,” Corbello said. “I know it’s just a slow start, but I know just as soon as we adjust and see the pitcher a few more times, our team is able to make in-game adjustments.” 
After Morris drove in the Colonels’ only run, junior shortstop Bianka Bell changed the momentum of the game with a single swing. 
After the Tigers started the third inning with two ground outs, sophomore right fielder Bailey Landry drew the first walk of the game from Nicholls junior pitcher Hannah Haydel. Bell drove in Landry with a double to left center, evening the score at 1-1. 
“We are always thinking, ‘Two outs, so what?’” Bell said. “Anything can happen with two outs. We’ve been scoring a lot of runs with two outs and getting runners on-base with two outs. Might as well get on base and see what can happen.” 
In the fifth inning, Bell broke the game open after Andrews earned a leadoff walk and Landry doubled, extending her hit streak to 21 games. 
Bell ripped a single down the left field line and drove in Andrews and Landry, breaking the tie and giving LSU its first lead of the night. 
Bell has been the Tigers’ most explosive and consistent hitter, hitting .583 on the season and .551 with runners in scoring position. 
“Bell has been our leader,” Torina said. “She has carried us and continues to carry us. She’s just such a special hitter. It seems like wherever they’re throwing her in the zone, she’s able to handle the pitches.” 
The Tigers continued to roll in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. 
Andrews drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and freshman left fielder Emily Griggs scored on a wild pitch. Bell closed the scoring with a single up the middle that drove in Landry.
Despite the rough start, the Tigers were able to pull out a win and turn their focus toward their weekend nonconference series with  No. 6 Oklahoma. 
“It gives you a reality check,” Corbello said. “You need games like this to see what we really need to work on. It really does help you with in-game adjustments.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.