After dropping its first Southeastern Conference series at Kentucky this past weekend, the No.1 LSU softball team returns to Baton Rouge to face in-state rival UL-Monroe at 6 p.m. tonight in Tiger Park.
The Warhawks (24-8, 8-2 Sun Belt) roll into the midweek clash on a five-game winning streak. LSU (32-3, 6-3 SEC) looks to defend its perfect 24-0 record at home and its 4-0 mark against Louisiana teams this season.
Despite suffering the first setback of this season, LSU coach Beth Torina said she will prepare the Tigers by focusing on their strengths — stringing together hits at the plate and shutting down opponents’ lineups in the circle.
LSU’s lineup hopes to get back into gear after stalling for a season-low five runs in three games against the Wildcats. In their first two SEC series against Arkansas and Florida, the Tigers tallied 23 and 27 runs, respectively.
LSU will have an opportunity against the Warhawks’ pitching staff for the heart of its lineup, power hitters junior shortstop Bianka Bell and sophomore catcher/infielder Sahvanna Jaquish, to get back on track after failing to record a home run against Kentucky.
ULM has allowed 32 homers this season, with sophomore pitcher Melanie Coyne leading the rotation with 13 home runs allowed.
While Jaquish leads the team with 13 bombs, Bell leads the Tigers with 51 RBIs and holds the LSU career home run record with 38 in her three seasons.
Although Bell and Jaquish have shined this season, the Tigers’ lineup’s success stems from leadoff hitters senior center fielder A.J. Andrews and sophomore right fielder Bailey Landry’s ability to get on base.
Both Andrews and Landry have recorded an on-base percentage of more the .510 and are in the top-12 in the SEC.
Against Kentucky, Andrews and Landry struggled to set the table for Bell and Jaquish, going 6-for-22 with three strikeouts in the series.
After struggling at times against Kentucky, the Tigers’ pitching staff will also have a chance to return to their dominance in the circle.
Throughout the season, the Tigers’ variety of pitching styles within the rotation has led to their success in shutting down opposing lineups. LSU comes into the matchup against ULM leading the SEC with a .134 ERA.
As a rotation, LSU has allowed only 42 earned runs this season and has an opposing batting average of .189, which is second in the SEC.
Senior infielder Alexis Cacioppo and junior infielder Faith Bohack lead the Warhawks’ lineup with a combined 51 RBIs and seven home runs.
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.