The last time the No. 21 LSU softball team faced Southern Miss, it appeared as if the season had been lost.
The Tigers (32-15) suffered a 7-0 loss to the Golden Eagles (17-30) on March 16 — their sixth straight loss. But the game Wednesday night had a different result.
LSU took advantage of heads-up baserunning and Southern Miss miscues to extend its winning streak to six games with a 2-0 victory at Tiger Park.
“We scratched the runs out like we tend to do sometimes,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “We played good defense and held on.”
LSU put together its only two runs in the second inning. Junior designated player Morgan Russell led off the inning with a single to center field. Freshman outfielder Alex Boulet replaced Russell on the basepaths and stole second and third to move into scoring position.
With two outs, senior outfielder Tiffany Shaw laced a single past the Southern Miss second baseman to score Boulet. Shaw later came around to score after an error by Southern Miss shortstop Chanell Thurman.
Girouard said her team’s speed made the difference for the Tigers.
“We’ve got speed,” Girouard said. “We’ve just got to get that speed on so we can run and have fun. We kind of did that tonight in one inning, and it paid off.”
The Tigers have grown accustomed to keeping opposing teams from crossing the plate. The victory marked the fifth consecutive shutout for LSU.
Sophomore pitcher Rachele Fico (13-9) started the game but suffered through health issues during her four innings of work. Fico appeared to have trouble keeping her hands dry and vomited in the fourth inning.
Southern Miss loaded the bases with two outs, but Fico got Golden Eagle third baseman Brittany Lilly to fly out in foul territory to end the threat.
“Fico started off strong then ran into some trouble health-wise,” Girouard said. “I felt she went as far as she could.”
Junior pitcher Brittany Mack entered the game in the fifth inning, allowing just two hits and striking out four.
Southern Miss mustered one final charge in the seventh inning as catcher Mackenzie Sher opened the inning with a double. Mack promptly closed the door on the Golden Eagles, striking out two of the final three batters.
“Thank God Mack has matured and is healthy because she has been the workhorse for us,” Girouard said.
The Tigers have now won 17 of their last 20 games dating back to March 19.
LSU will travel to Starkville, Miss., for a weekend series with Mississippi State. The Tigers have not lost to the Bulldogs since 2005.
“They’re a very worthy opponent,” Girouard said. “I watched them on TV, and I was very impressed. This is a much better team than they were last year.”
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]
Softball: LSU blanks Southern Miss, 2-0, for fifth-consecutive shutout
April 26, 2011