The No. 10 LSU softball team went into extra innings for the fourth time this season when it defeated BYU 2-1 on a walk-off from senior center fielder Emily Griggs Thursday night.
But that was not the case this afternoon, as the Tigers defeated the Cougars in five innings by a score of 8-0 on the second day of the Round Robin tournament.
LSU coach Beth Torina said that her players were on right on the verge of something special last night. There was no magic formula in the difference between the first and second BYU game, but Torina did appreciate better at bats and bigger swings from her players.
“I just saw them looking different and having a better approach,” Torina said. “I felt like this was coming, and I’m glad that they proved me right.”
Junior catcher Michaela Schlattman started the game off hot by hitting the first home run of her LSU career in the bottom of the first inning. That run scored Griggs and sophomore first baseman Amanda Doyle to put the Tigers up 3-0.
Torina, who has talked about the improvement in Schlattman’s swings, thought of her big hit as a freeing moment for the team, knowing that she scored first.
“She’s doing a great job,” Torina said. “I moved her back into the lineup because she earned to be back in the lineup. She swung really well in [Southeastern] Conference play and is continuing to do it today.”
“It was really exciting,” Schlattman said. “It was really huge that Emily and Amanda got those two hits ahead of me, and I just wanted to work off on what they were doing. They had so much pop off their bat, so I just went up there confident that I was going to get it done as well.”
Sophomore pitcher Maribeth Gorsuch started against the Cougars and struck out the first two batters in the top of the third inning. Gorsuch remains undefeated and now has 60 strikeouts in her second year with the Tigers.
“I struggled a little bit last year and I just came into my sophomore year with a new mindset,” Gorsuch said. “I have a year under my belt and I know what Coach Beth wants. I just think that I’m growing up and learning a lot more.”
“She’s so talented,” Torina said. “She threw a great game and did everything that I expected her to do.”
Freshman pitcher Shelbi Sunseri returned from a shin injury against the Cougars to relieve Gorsuch in the fifth inning. She also make an impact at the plate, doubling to right field in the bottom of the third inning.
Sunseri made her first collegiate start at home against Southern Miss on Feb. 9 and allowed two runs on six hits.
“It’s nice to see her have kind type of at bat and get her back on the mound,” Torina said.
The Tigers (25-4, 3-2 SEC) continue playing in the Round Robin tournament tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. against Baylor.