LSU sophomore pitcher Carley Hoover had an impressive day in the circle.
She struck out 13 batters and allowed just four hits. But, pitching miscues ultimately outweighed the positives as the seventh-ranked Tigers fell 3-0 to No. 1 Florida.
Hoover (10-2) pitched two shutout innings before she appeared to lose her composure. After a passed ball allowed Florida (31-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) junior designated player Justine McLean to reach the basepath, the sophomore hurler allowed a single, which moved two runners into scoring position.
On the next batter, she tossed a wild pitch over junior catcher Sahvanna Jaquish which allowed McLean to score. A double to the next Gators batter scored another run and the deadlock was broken.
Hoover, then, regained her command of the ball, but the damage was done.
The Clemson, South Carolina, native retired the next nine visiting batters before allowing sophomore right fielder Kayli Kvistad to blast a solo long shot over the center field wall.
The miscues in the circle were not the only Tigers’ (26-6, 3-4 SEC) issues on the day.
Florida’s ace pitcher sophomore Aleshia Ocasio (11-1) held the Tigers to a batting average of .200 and recorded eight strikeouts. She uncharacteristically walked 3 batters, but LSU couldn’t take advantage.
The Tigers stranded six on base throughout the contest and seemingly couldn’t get a timely hit.
No LSU players tallied multiple hits in the game.
LSU will look to rebound in Game 2 set for to begin at approximately 6:50 p.m.