After giving up lead off walks to both Southern Utah and Oregon State in the first inning, the LSU softball team pulled off comeback wins against both to remain unbeaten.
The Tigers scored 13 unanswered runs against the Thunderbirds, nine of those runs coming in the fourth inning.
The rally started when junior third baseman Shemiah Sanchez drove in an RBI double that sent sophomore left fielder Aliyah Andrews home in bottom of the third inning. Moments later, LSU took the lead when sophomore first baseman Amanda Doyle hit a home run to extend the lead 4-1.
The runs continued to pile on in the next inning when freshman utility player Kara Goff scored on a RBI from senior outfielder Emily Griggs.
Later that inning, Goff hit an RBI triple to extend the Tigers’ lead to 12.
While it’s early in the season, LSU coach Beth Torina already see enormous potential in freshmen like Goff and catcher CC Caccamise.
“They’re really contributing here right away,” Torina said. “[Freshman outfielder] Taryn Antoine had a really good day, too. It’s fun pulling for those kids because they are very good kids.”
The Tigers also trailed Oregon State 2-0 early on in the game, but they still responded well with three unanswered runs.
Torina definitely appreciated the fight that her team put up against the Thunderbirds and the Beavers.
“It’s something that is really valuable,” Torina said. “Talent and batting average is something that you can see, but understanding how to fight is huge.”
Even young players like Doyle understand the deal of finishing strong and to not throw in the towel too quickly.
“We gave those two runs in the very first inning, so we have seven full innings to get those runs back in,” Doyle said.
Sophomore pitcher Maribeth Gorsuch started against the Thunderbirds and recorded four strikeouts after giving up a run in the first inning.
Senior pitcher Allie Walljasper allowed three hits in the first two innings against the Beavers but started to settle in around the third inning.
Since the end of the third inning, Walljasper had only allowed two hits in the last three innings and recorded three strikeouts.
“They’re just really gritty,” Doyle said. “They have strong mentality. Even though they gave up runs, whether if it was their fault or not, they just bounce back when they make a mistake and they just carry us on our back.”
Doyle had an error in the second inning against Oregon State, but LSU still finished the inning strong after leaving two Beaver runners stranded.
Walljasper also recorded her first strikeout of the evening to end the fourth inning against the Beavers. She credited team contribution more than anything as to why her team got the win.
“It was just really cool to see the entire team come together and to just claw our way up with another victory,” Walljasper said.
LSU had seven runners stranded in the first three innings against Oregon State. When the Tigers were looking to come up big and get on the board earlier in the third inning, the Beavers responded with a double play.
But the Tigers started leading the Beavers 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth after Andrews stayed at first base due to an overthrow.
Doyle then drove in another run on an RBI single to give the Tigers the lead.
LSU continues to play in the Purple and Gold Challenge against Oregon State once again tomorrow at 12:00 p.m.
