It seemed that No. 19 LSU had done enough to earn its first series win of Southeastern Conference play.
The Tigers (13-5) got out to an early win in the first game of Saturday’s double-header, but a late rally by Kentucky in the day’s second game kept LSU from the sweep.
The Tigers had powered their way past Kentucky, 3-2, in the first game of Saturday’s double-header with home runs from junior outfielder Rachel Mitchell and freshman infielder Ashley Langoni.
Langoni provided the power to earn LSU a second-consecutive win, as her three-run home run in the third inning of Saturday’s second game put the Tigers up 4-0.
Kentucky (10-5) had other ideas. Trailing 5-2 in the top of the seventh inning, Kentucky second baseman Natalie Smith knocked a three-run double to right field to tie the game. The Tigers failed to get a runner on base in the final frame of regular innings.
The Wildcats capitalized on their opportunity in the first at-bat of extra innings. A pop fly with no outs scored Kentucky left fielder Annie Rowlands from third to put Kentucky up, 6-5.
The Tigers fell just short of a comeback of their own. Sophomore outfielder Ashley Applegate managed a two-out single to keep LSU alive, and two walks loaded the bases.
Freshman catcher Morgan Russell had a chance to tie or win the game, but grounded out to end the comeback bid.
The Tigers and Wildcats meet Sunday at noon to determine the series winner.——Contact David Helman at [email protected]