Is it possible to get better than perfect?
Unlikely as it sounds, that’s precisely the question the LSU softball team must answer after tossing the program’s third perfect game Wednesday night.
The No. 18 Tigers (7-0) blitzed Southeastern Louisiana, 9-0, in just five innings, largely thanks to a perfect effort from sophomore pitcher Rachele Fico.
“Rachele was magnificent tonight,” said LSU coach Yvette Girouard after the game. “She played great defense and certainly was the deciding factor in tonight’s game.”
Fico’s seven-strikeout performance is the highlight of a blistering start for LSU, as the Tigers have blown past their opposition by an average of six runs per contest.
“We hit the ball hard, and the intensity was magnificent,” Girouard said. “It’s a team that really enjoys coming out here and playing softball.”
Now LSU must take the hot streak on the road for the first time. The Tigers will travel to the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic for the first of two away tournaments this season.
“This next weekend is going to help prepare us for [Southeastern Conference play],” Fico said. “We have some great competition.”
Ironically, LSU is traveling 270 miles to Houston to open the tournament against cross-town rival Southern (1-4) at 9 a.m. on Friday.
“I’m not quite sure why we’re traveling five hours to play Southern at 9 o’clock in the morning, but we don’t make the away schedules,” Girouard said at LSU’s media day last week.
After opening the season with six games in three days, this weekend will be another heavy load of games for the Tigers, who play five. LSU faces No. 20 Oklahoma State (4-1) right after Southern.
“Oklahoma State came here [last season], and I thought they were a very good ball club,” Girouard said. “We beat them twice, but I’m sure they’re going to want some revenge. We’re going to have to play very well this weekend to stay unbeaten.”
The Tigers might have found an extra spark Wednesday in freshman infielder Tammy Wray. Wray went 3-for-3 from the plate against Southeastern, tallying a two-run home run and three RBI.
The Tigers follow up Friday’s games with another in-state tilt against Nicholls (2-2). LSU also plays host team Houston (3-2) twice this weekend.
 
 
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Contact David Helman at [email protected]