LSU’s softball team struggled to find consistency against Louisiana-Monroe, shuffling pitchers and looking for production. The end result was still a victory. The Tigers used four pitchers and a quick start and finish to pick up a 9-2 victory against Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday night at Tiger Park. Junior Dani Hofer got the start for the Tigers and finished with five strikeouts in two innings. The foursome of Hofer, senior Tiffany Garcia, sophomore Cody Trahan and freshman Casey Faile combined for 14 strikeouts but also gave up three walks. LSU coach Yvette Girouard said she was pleased so many pitchers got experience against the Warhawks. “The whole purpose was to give everybody work,” Girouard said. The Tigers sprinted out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on senior Tayl’r Hollis’ three-run homer. Freshman Ashley Applegate stretched the lead to 5-0 with a two-run single. Senior Erika Sluss singled in the second inning to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead. Trahan (3-1), who replaced Garcia in the fourth inning, struck out four Warhawks in two innings. She picked up the win for the Tigers while sophomore Kandace Causey (3-3) took the loss for the Warhawks. In the top of the sixth inning, Faile gave up a solo home run to freshman Brianna Love to make the score 6-2. The Tigers regained momentum in the bottom of the sixth inning when sophomore Rachel Mitchell hit a two-run homer to increase the lead to 8-2. Senior Quinlan Duhon scored on a passed ball to make the score 9-2. Girouard said the team still played “sloppy” after a strong workout Tuesday. “We’ve got to work ahead [in the count] and be smart about how we pitch instead of throw,” Girouard said. “[Our pitchers] can’t miss over the plate.”
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