One lesson every team has to learn is how to play on the road. The disruption of game day routines and different atmospheres can throw off a team’s chemistry, but the best teams are able to fight through adversity and use road trips to become stronger.
So far, so good for LSU softball.
After winning its first 11 games in Tiger Park, the No. 7 Tigers (16-0) flourished in their first road test last weekend, sweeping the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs. Veterans and newcomers alike overcame road challenges by embracing one another and understanding their roles within the team.
“Road trips always bring a great opportunity for team bonding because you spend so much time together,” said sophomore outfielder Bailey Landry. “It’s one of my favorite parts, being on the road with each other and just having those memories you get to keep.”
The Tigers came together, outscoring their opponents 38-6 through their five games in the Classic, including three wins by mercy rule.
The Tigers won in a variety of ways by embracing their individual strengths, whether it be speed or power hitting.
In the Tigers’ Thursday doubleheader against San Diego State and Cal State — Fullerton, sophomore infielder Sahvanna Jaquish and freshman pitcher Allie Walljasper sparked the LSU offense with a grand slam apiece on the day.
LSU’s lineup exploded early against Nebraska and Northwestern on Saturday, scoring 10 runs in the first inning against the Cornhuskers (6-9) and eight runs in the second against the Wildcats (4-9).
In the weekend’s marquee matchup against No. 15 Arizona (11-3), the Tigers avenged last year’s defeat in the NCAA Tucson Regional Final with a 4-3 victory.
“It was a special thing,” said sophomore infielder Constance Quinn. “Just the whole morning — getting up and prepping for it … It is just another game, but it means a lot coming back from last year. [It was the] last loss of the season, but like [LSU coach Beth Torina] told us, ‘It won’t be your first loss.’ Going into that game fully focused, ready and alert — it was the best experience.”
For the five California natives on LSU’s roster, the more than 1,700-mile road trip offered a rare opportunity to play in front of friends and family.
Highland, California, native Jaquish said after LSU’s win against Louisiana Tech on Feb. 17 that she was excited to see her family and friends.
For Walljasper, a trip home was the best first road trip she could ask for. She shined in California, notching 16 strikeouts while allowing only three walks and two earned runs in 11 innings pitched.
“It was awesome,” Walljasper said. “It was probably one of the best trips I will go on. For my first time going out of town, being in California at home was a really cool experience and having all my family watch me play.”
LSU must continue handling the pressure of playing top teams on the road when they travel to face the defending national champion Florida in a little more than two weeks.
Despite the Tigers’ early success, LSU coach Beth Torina stressed the importance of continuing to push for constant improvement.
“We still haven’t seen our best game yet,” Torina said. “We still haven’t seen us hitting on all fronts. We slapped it well a couple games. We hit power a couple games. We’ve pitched well a couple games. We’ve defended well, but I don’t know that we have put it all together at the same time.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.