Nearly all sports fans in the 90s remember Michael Jordan’s historic flu-game.
The then-ill Chicago Bulls legend famously scored 38 points, recorded seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA finals against the Utah Jazz. The victory forwarded the Bulls a 3-2 series lead on their way to claiming another NBA title.
Some youthful sports fans may not have heard of Jordan’s performance, including LSU freshman Sydney Smith.
Smith’s lack of knowledge didn’t stop her from producing a Jordan-esque, under-the-weather performance against Nicholls State in the Tigers (26-5, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) 2-0 win on Tuesday in Tiger Park.
“She almost didn’t throw,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “She wasn’t feeling well. We had to doctor her up to get her out there today…[even when] not considering those factors, she still did a great job.”
The rookie hurler had a stomach virus and was nearly scratched from the game, Torina said. She wasn’t officially given the start until about 15 minutes prior to first pitch.
Despite her illness, the Maple Grove, Minnesota, native struck out four batters, and allowed one hit and no runs in a complete game effort. She threw 6.2 hitless innings and had her no-hitter broken on ball that didn’t even reach the circle.
Smith frustrated the Colonels (16-12) and only allowed three total bases runners during a stretch where she retired 15-straight Nicholls State batters.
“Sydney did phenomenal tonight,” said freshman shortstop Amber Serrett. “Her drop ball was working real well. I saw from shortstop everybody was swinging over a lot of stuff.”
In route to Smith’s near no-hitter, LSU’s defense stepped up.
Senior third baseman Bianka Bell boasted a team-high six assists to limit the Colonel’s offense. Senior first baseman Sandra Simmons recorded a team-high seven putouts, including a diving catch in foul territory in the second inning.
To win, the Tigers needed an impressive performance in the circle, and defensively, due to a lackluster night at the plate.
Only Serrett and junior outfielder Bailey Landry earned two hits on the night. Landry smashed a lead-off triple in the first inning and crossed home for the first LSU run after Colonels’ junior second baseman Brooke failed to field a choppy ground ball
The second Tigers score came an inning later when Landry blasted a two-out single up the middle to bring Serrett home.
Nicholls State’s senior hurler Hannah Haydel stifled LSU’s bats as she consistently remained ahead in pitch counts, then aimed to force hitters into routine outs through ground outs or pop flies.
“Hannah is a very good pitcher,” Landry said. “She did a lot of things well. Nicholls is a great team and nobody to really look past.”
Haydel allowed one run and just four hits against the Tigers’ potent attack. She struck out two batters, but walked five, in six innings of work.
LSU’s week won’t get any easier as it hosts No. 1 Florida this weekend. The series will begin with a doubleheader at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday before the finale at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
“Florida brings a lot of things to deal with,” Torina said. “The most challenging thing is probably the three different looks on the mound they’re going to bring. They have a lefty. They have a down-ball pitcher and they have an up-ball pitcher. … Trying to compete against all three of those in one weekend will be a really huge challenge.”