The No. 16 LSU softball team will host its third consecutive tournament this weekend when Syracuse, South Alabama and Campbell University travel to Tiger Park for the Purple and Gold Challenge.The Tigers (13-4) are on an eight-game winning streak and have won 11 of their last 12 games.”What an unbelievable advantage and plus it’s been for all of us to be in Baton Rouge the last three weekends,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “It’s been fantastic scheduling.”LSU’s pitching has been the catalyst throughout the winning streak. The pitching staff has only given up seven runs during the streak and has pitched four shutouts.The Tigers’ staff leads the Southeastern Conference with a 0.91 ERA, and its 122 strikeouts rank third in the SEC.A big reason for the pitching staff’s success is freshman pitcher Rachele Fico’s production.”She’s getting better and better every day,” Girouard said. “She knows what she needs to work on and knows what she needs to improve.”Fico appeared in four games last week and collected two wins. She fanned 20 batters and allowed only four hits and one earned run — a performance that earned her Louisiana Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Week honors.But Fico believes her honor is a reflection on how well her defense has played behind her.”I’m not afraid to throw pitches,” Fico said. “I know I have a great infield and outfield behind me, and they’re always going to be there to make plays.”The Tiger defense has a .970 fielding percentage, which is second best in the SEC.LSU’s hitting has started to catch fire during the streak as well.The Tigers have outscored their opponents, 46-7, during the eight-game stretch.”We’ve been working really hard as a team in the cages,” said freshman catcher Lauren Houston.Senior center fielder Kirsten Shortridge sparked the Tiger bats from the leadoff position this week.The Texas native had a .476 batting average with two doubles and four RBIs. She also stole five bases.This weekend will be the last tournament before LSU begins conference play in Columbia, S.C., next weekend.South Alabama (7-6) has stacked the beginning of its season with SEC competition. The Jaguars have played No. 6 Alabama and No. 4 Georgia, losing 6-3 and 4-1, respectively.Campbell (2-7-1) will travel from Buies Creek, N.C., for its second tournament hosted by an SEC team. The Fighting Camels suffered a 7-0 defeat to No. 10 Florida on Feb. 19.Syracuse (3-7) also faced SEC competition when the Orange lost to Tennessee, 8-6, on Feb. 26.- – – -Contact Jarred LeBlanc at [email protected]