The No. 19 LSU softball team forced the eight-run rule in the fifth inning of both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against South Carolina, as the Tigers shut out the Gamecocks, 8-0, in both contests.
“I think it was a big deal, not only to bounce back and win, but to take them and run rule them two games in a row,” said junior pitcher Kirsten Shortridge.
LSU (29-14-1, 12-9-1) blew game two open in the bottom of the fourth inning when South Carolina committed three errors to allow four runs and push the score to 8-0.
The Tigers scored in the bottom of the first when junior center fielder Rachel Mitchell singled up the middle and scored Shortridge from third.
After freshman shortstop Juliana Santos scored on a single by sophomore right fielder Ashley Applegate, freshman first baseman Anissa Young belted a two-RBI double to the right field fence, making the score 4-0.
South Carolina (20-21, 5-18) left one runner on base in each of the first four innings and was never able to score.
Shortridge (4-3) pitched five innings, allowed two hits and struck out three batters.
“The defense played behind me today,” Shortridge said. “I was confident in them, and they were confident in me.”
South Carolina’s freshman pitcher Audrey Broyles (10-11) earned her second loss of the day after pitching three innings, striking out one, allowing six hits and giving up four runs.
 
GAME ONE
Shortridge and junior pitcher Cody Trahan propelled LSU past South Carolina in game one, 8-0.
Shortridge, who played center field in game one, tagged a grand slam over the right field fence in the bottom of the second to put the Tigers ahead, 5-0. She went 2-for-3 in the game with a single, a four-RBI grand slam and the game-winning RBI walk.
“She is capable of putting down a bunt, hitting with touch with the slapper and hitting the ball out with a home run,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard.
Trahan (8-5) pitched five shutout innings, gave up two hits and struck out seven batters to earn the win in the circle.
“Cody didn’t get to throw all week, and the doctor just cleared her yesterday,” Girouard said.
Santos added additional runs in the fourth when she belted a two-out two-run home run to left field to increase the lead to seven.
The Tigers outhit the Gamecocks, 8-2, in game one and 15-4 in both games combined.
The Gamecocks threatened in the third but were unable to capitalize and left runners stranded on second and third.
Broyles earned the loss for the Gamecocks and had an early exit in the second inning after Shortridge’s grand slam.
Broyles pitched 1 2/3 innings, struck out two batters, gave up three hits and allowed five runs, one earned.
LSU and South Carolina play the final game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m. in Tiger Park.
The Tigers will honor their senior pitcher Dani Hofer on Sunday’s senior day, and she will make her first appearance of the season as she takes the mound for the first pitch of the game. Hofer has missed the season because of a wrist injury.
 
—-Contact Jarred LeBlanc at [email protected]