The LSU softball team is hoping this weekend will bring more of its recent good fortunes.
After a rocky pre-conference schedule handed LSU seven losses, the Tigers have found their groove as they roll into their first Southeastern Conference road trip of the season.
LSU (20-8, 4-1 SEC) visits South Carolina (19-13, 2-6 SEC) this weekend to face the season’s first SEC East Division opponent.
LSU has won 10 of its last 11 games, including a victory over No. 20 Auburn and a sweep of SEC West Division rival Mississippi State.
The Tigers also pulled out a 2-1 win Tuesday against a Georgia Tech team that has recorded victories against No. 8 Arizona, No. 20 Nebraska, No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 8 Georgia.
“They were higher than us in the polls, and we weren’t expected to win this game,” said senior pitcher Brittany Mack.
“Obviously, we’ve got our spirits up for now. We just need to make sure we carry that on to this weekend.”
Mack said the Tigers refocused after their slow start to the season.
“We had a tough first couple of weeks against some really good ranked teams, but we make sure that from now on, no matter who we face, we don’t let that bother us because we know we’re a very good team,” she said. “We just have to keep everything to ourselves – keep everything within us and know what we can handle.”
On a team with five freshmen – many of whom see regular playing time – senior first baseman Heidi Pizer said this weekend’s road trip should be more fun than intimidating.
“Traveling always brings a little bit of anxiety, but I think it’s a little different now because we have a lot of young kids,” Pizer said. “They’ve never been there before, so the anxiety has really turned into excitement.”
Despite the enthusiasm, LSU coach Beth Torina said the team wouldn’t treat this weekend differently than any other SEC weekend.
“Every team in the SEC is quality,” Torina said. “Any time we can win three games in a weekend is huge, so of course we’re setting out to get three wins just like every weekend on our schedule.”
LSU has been without senior infielder Juliana Santos, senior outfielder Katie Guillory, sophomore infielder Allison Falcon and sophomore outfielder Simone Heyward at various points throughout the season due to injuries.
 
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Contact Albert Burford at [email protected]