A pair of seventh-inning runs delivered the No. 18 LSU softball team from what would have been a four-game winless streak.
The Tigers (23-9-1) entered the final inning against Nicholls State (26-13) trailing 1-0. It seemed the Colonels’ only hit of the game would be enough to secure a win, but freshman shortstop Juliana Santos knocked an RBI triple as a pinch hitter to knot the score.
An error by Nicholls State third baseman Kayla Watterson allowed Santos to score the eventual game-winner.
“You’ve got to give kudos to Santos,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “We were trying to rest her – she had a banged up toe … It just goes to show how bright the future is here, but I was completely worried. We still looked flat from the weekend.”
LSU outhit the Colonels all night long, but it didn’t look like it would be enough. The Tigers put down six hits and got runners into scoring position in four of seven innings but stranded seven batters.
Nicholls State scored the game’s first run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and did not get its second hit until a single from Colonels’ center fielder Kodi Butler in the seventh inning.
“We’re losing it at the plate, and we’ve got to get our mojo back,” Girouard said. “It’s almost like we’re pressing. You have to cut your head off when you’re in the box, and instead of cutting it off we’re losing it. We have to be more mature.”
The Tigers’ pitching staff had an impressive outing despite the close call.
Sophomore pitcher Casey Faile pitched four innings, allowing the Colonels their one run. Freshman pitcher Brittany Mack took over in the fifth inning, allowing one hit and striking out six batters.
The Tigers’ pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts, with Faile throwing four.
“When you don’t touch the plate [on offense] games can slip away from you,” Girouard said.
LSU returns to Southeastern Conference play Saturday against Arkansas after a winless weekend against Tennessee. The Tigers dropped their first two games against the Volunteers before tying on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers travel to Little Rock, Ark., for the road series.
 
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