The No. 6 LSU softball team took it upon itself Tuesday night to make Alcorn State University’s upset of No. 11 University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Friday seem more remarkable than it already did. Alcorn State (2-11) defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns, 5-4, but the Tigers made that win seem like a distant memory, sweeping the Lady Braves’ in Tuesday’s doubleheader at Tiger Park, 14-3 and 12-0. Both games ended after five innings because of the NCAA’s mercy rule. The victories were the Tigers 18th and 19th of the season. LSU has dropped only one game so far this season, an 8-5 setback Feb. 18 to No. 22 Southern Illinois University. Junior Tiffany Garcia (4-0) pitched five innings and allowed only five hits in game one, a contest which was the Tigers’ highest-scoring game this season. Freshman Cody Trahan (2-0) threw a one-hitter and struck out 11 batters in the second game. LSU coach Yvette Girouard said Trahan’s pitching style and the Lady Braves’ eagerness to swing contributed to her second one-hitter of the season. “She was probably a better matchup for that team than Tiffany was because she’s up and [has] more power,” Girouard said. “You could tell by their swings that she probably was going to rack up some K’s [strikeouts].” Girouard applauded her team’s effort following the game but admitted her disappointment in the three runs the Tigers allowed in the first inning of game one. “[We were] kind of sleep walking in the first inning, and then we woke up,” Girouard said. “After that it was total domination, which we kind of hoped and planned it would be.” Despite the impressive sweep, the Tigers are still struggling to find the right combination of players in the infield. Girouard said junior second baseman Shannon Stein, junior third baseman Tayl’r Hollis and freshman third baseman Lindsey Hope are all out with injuries to their fingers. Freshman Rachel Mitchell started at third base in both games, and senior catcher Kristen Hobbs played at first base in game two. Hobbs said the Tigers are a team equipped with players that can fill whatever position Girouard needs. “[Coach] has talked about quality depth on our team,” she said. “I think [the new infielders] stepped up to the challenge today. It’s just unfortunate we’ve got some major contributors out with injuries.” In game one, the Tigers received balanced contributions from almost the entire lineup. Six LSU players led the team with two hits each. Freshman left fielder Jazz Jackson scored four runs in the first game, while freshman third baseman Mitchell and senior center fielder Leslie Klein each scored three. Jackson and junior designated player Dee Dee Henderson stole three bases a piece. Game two turned into a one-sided pitchers duel. Trahan retired eight of the first 12 batters she faced, and the Tigers lit up freshman Lady Braves’ pitcher Corina Pendleton for seven runs in the second inning and 11 hits overall. Klein went 3-for-3 with four RBI’s in the nightcap. Junior catcher Killian Roessner sealed the win with a one-out, three-run homer in the second inning that put the Tigers up, 11-0. This weekend LSU travels to Seattle to play in a tournament hosted by No. 14 University of Washington. The Tigers will play five games in Seattle, including a 3:45 p.m. matchup Saturday against the Huskies. “I think we’re all excited to finally play a ranked opponent to see where we stand,” Klein said. “I know we have the ability to beat anybody right now.
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