The LSU softball team didn’t record a hit Sunday, but that didn’t prevent the Tigers from sweeping No. 1 Alabama (37-5, 12-4) with a 2-0 victory at Tiger Park.
The Tigers (25-12, 8-6) manufactured two runs in the fourth inning on an error, two hit batters, a walk and a fielder’s choice to plate the game’s only runs.
“It’s the game of softball,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard. “Goofy things can happen. Just find a way to win, get on base and extend an inning. That’s what we did today.”
The sweep marks the first time LSU swept a No. 1-ranked team in program history.
The no-hit victory seemed a fitting end to a series that saw 31 innings and two games decided by walk-off home runs in extra innings.
Junior infielder Anissa Young ended the first game Friday with a deep blast to right field in the 14th inning to give LSU a 2-1 victory. LSU again needed Young’s heroics Saturday, as she belted a 10th-inning home run to seal a 3-1 victory.
“It was another game I will never forget,” Young said after the game Saturday. “It was another unbelievable feeling running around the bases. It was very emotional for me to meet all my teammates at home plate.”
Hits came at a premium for LSU, and the Tigers relied on unconventional methods to reach base. Alabama pitchers hit 10 batters during the series, with half of those hitting Young.
“We just tell them [to] do anything to get on a base,” Girouard said. “If that means getting hit, you got to get hit.”
The Crimson Tide had no answer for LSU pitchers Brittany Mack (10-3) and Rachele Fico (9-8). The two combined to strike out 34 batters and allowed just two earned runs.
Mack recorded two complete game victories in the series, throwing 234 pitches in 14 innings of work Friday.
“She’s finally matured,” Girouard said. “I’ve always said she has all the tools to be an All-American, and now it’s starting to show.”
Mack has bounced back from injuries in the last two seasons and has recorded five straight victories dating back to March 19 against then-No. 24 Kentucky.
“It definitely gets me thinking that anything can happen,” Mack said. “I can go as far as I can as long as I have confidence in myself and my team.”
The Tigers have won 10 straight games, including eight straight in Southeastern Conference play. LSU hasn’t lost since March 18 after dropping six straight games to open SEC play.
“We had a rocky start going against [then-No. 1 Florida and then-No. 2 Georgia],” Mack said. “Everyone’s been doubting us, and it just feels great to say we can beat any team there is.”
LSU now holds a 34-27 record against Alabama and snapped a three-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide.
But before the rivalry played itself out on the field, the Alabama players and coaches took a break to honor Girouard, who will retire at the end of the season. Crimson Tide players presented the LSU head coach with a yellow rose before Friday’s game.
“Everybody respects them,” Girouard said of the Crimson Tide. “I had a feeling that they would do something very classy, but I had no idea it would be like that.”
 
_____
Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]