Even after pulling out a win Friday to open NCAA postseason play, the odds were stacked against the LSU softball team succeeding again Saturday.
The Tigers (34-16-1) were easily underdogs heading into a matchup with No. 10-seeded hometown Arizona State (41-17) in the winner’s half of the Tempe Regional.
But as the saying goes, “that’s why they play the game.”
The Tigers overcome early mistakes on defense and opened up on fire offensively in a 10-2 win against Arizona State that didn’t even last the full seven innings.
Arizona State batted first because the “home team” rotates in NCAA postseason play regardless of the game’s location, and LSU junior pitcher Kirsten Shortridge got into quick trouble.
Shortridge allowed a single by Sun Devils senior left fielder Jessica Mapes to lead off the game.
Senior center fielder Kaitlin Cochran replaced Mapes at first base as Mapes was thrown out at second on a fielder’s choice. Cochran quickly advanced to third on a stolen base and subsequent throwing error on Shortridge.
But Shortridge managed her way through the final two outs of the inning with three long at bats without letting Cochran come across the plate.
Shortridge threw 32 pitches in the first inning all together, but she managed to bounce back and complete the five-inning game for the Tigers, allowing only one earned run on five hits.
Arizona State junior starting pitcher Megan Elliott was not as lucky.
After forcing Shortridge to fly out to begin the bottom half of the first inning, Elliott walked three consecutive batters on a combined 13 pitches.
LSU freshman first baseman Anissa Young quickly made her pay with a grand slam the following at bat to put the Tigers ahead, 4-0.
Elliott eventually walked LSU designated player Casey Faile later in the inning, but the grand slam was the only damage done on the scoreboard.
Shortridge made quick work of the top of the second inning, retiring the Sun Devils batters in only 13 pitches despite allowing a single to start the inning.
And the LSU offense just kept rolling.
LSU third baseman Jessica Mouse was hit by a pitch and advanced to second base on a wild pitch and third on an error that also allowed Shortridge to advance to second.
Both runners scored on a single to right-center field by sophomore Ashley Applegate, and Elliott’s day was done.
But Elliott’s replacement, freshman pitcher Hillary Bach, didn’t fare much better.
Bach began her appearance by allowing center fielder Rachel Mitchell to reach base on a fielder’s choice before giving up a single to shortstop Juliana Santos and hitting Young with a pitch.
LSU freshman left fielder made Bach pay in the following at bat, stroking the Tigers’ second grand slam in as many innings to thrust ahead to a 10-2 lead.
Arizona State picked up two runs in the top of the third — one earned, one unearned — but could not draw closer before the game was ended by an eight-run rule after 4 1/2 innings.
 
THE ROAD TO OKLAHOMA CITY
Cal State Fullerton (29-20) and San Diego State (33-19) began playing an elimination game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the winner of which will face Arizona State at 10:30 p.m.
LSU awaits the winner of the late game at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday and can clinch the Tempe Regional with another victory.
If LSU loses the 4:30 game, the regional will be decided in a final game beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
The path to the College World Series could be clearing up quickly for the Tigers.
The winner of the Tempe Regional will face the winner of the Norman Regional, which No. 7-seeded Oklahoma begin with a 1-0 loss.
Oklahoma (13-19) and Tulsa (39-16) were in the fourth inning of an elimination game when this story was completed. Tulsa was leading the Sooners, 2-1.
The winner of the Tulsa-Oklahoma contest will face North Dakota State (37-18) for the Norman Regional.—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]