The No. 12 LSU softball team (25-4, 1-2) played the role of Wile E. Coyote on Tuesday night at Tiger Park. The Tigers had no trouble catching the Roadrunners of the University of Texas at San Antonio (13-14), shutting them out 3-0. Though it lacked the offensive production of other midweek games this season, LSU’s matchup against the Roadrunners was a night filled with milestones. Junior designated player Dee Dee Henderson had a career-high three hits in the game and also set a school record by stealing four bases on the night. With the hits, Henderson extended her current hit streak 12 games. During this streak the Marietta, Texas, native is batting .594. Senior center fielder Leslie Klein also made history with a double to right center field in the fifth inning. The hit gave the All-American the 53rd double of her career and tied her with former Tiger Stephanie Hastings for most career doubles. Junior pitcher Tiffany Garcia earned her fifth victory of the season against UTSA, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out three batters. Garcia’s win did not come without its fair share of adversity. The Roadrunners loaded the bases in the sixth inning and had two outs to work with, but Garcia struck out first baseman Krista Sitka and forced a flyout from right fielder Leanna Risberg to get out of the inning unscathed. LSU coach Yvette Girouard said Garcia’s ability to pitch her way out of a tough position shows signs of maturity. “She made some good pitches when she needed to, and that’s what all good pitchers need to do,” Girouard said. “There’s gonna always be some challenges in innings, and she controlled a pretty good hitting team.” Garcia said mixing up her pitch selection got her out of the tough situations. “I was just trying to work ahead in the count and keep the hitters off balance,” she said. Even with Garcia’s strong performance in the circle, the star of the game was Henderson. “Dee Dee is just on fire,” Girouard said. “Anytime you can lead off with your lead-off getting on, it fires up your team.” Henderson started the lineup for the Tigers for only the second time this season. Freshman left fielder Jazz Jackson, who has led the lineup 23 times this season, switched with Henderson to bat second in the lineup Sunday in the Tigers 4-0 win against Ole Miss. Girouard said Henderson batting first gives the team a better opportunity at manufacturing runs. “Our objective is always to try and score in that first inning, and [Dee Dee] is just lights out right now,” she said. “It’s just a better situation because we feel like we’re not giving up an out with a bunt, because she’s capable of stealing [second base].” Senior first baseman Kristen Hobbs said Henderson’s work ethic has translated into better play on the field. “She’s stepped up so big this year,” Hobbs said. “She’s leading the team in batting average, and that just proves how hard she’s worked.” Junior pitcher Janeille Nickels took the loss for the Roadrunners. She pitched six innings, gave up nine hits and walked two batters. Freshman center fielder Rudi Cantu led UTSA with three hits. This weekend, LSU will have its SEC home opener against No. 22 University of Florida. The Tigers and Gators play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The series finale is Sunday at 1 p.m. and can be seen on Cox Sports Television. Florida has lost three of its four games with the lone victory being a 4-0 win Saturday against No. 1 University of Tennessee. The Gators face No. 2 University of Alabama in a doubleheader tonight before traveling to Baton Rouge this weekend. Girouard said the series against the Gators will be the most important the Tigers have played this season. “We need to really start rolling here,” she said. “[The Gators] had some huge wins. I’m sure they’re playing with a ton of confidence. We know we’re gonna have our hands full.”
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