LSU softball sophomore pitcher Carley Hoover is the team’s team ace and typically a strikeout machine.
But Friday, she wasn’t.
Hoover (10-1) allowed three home runs in her first loss of the season, as the fourth ranked Tigers (24-4, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) fell to No. 11 Texas A&M, 6-2, in Game 1. She was not her usual self, allowing six runs on seven hits and surrendering five walks.
LSU’s offense did not help the sophomore’s cause.
Senior third baseman Bianka Bell and freshman left fielder Elyse Thornhill recorded all three of the LSU’s hits. Thornhill had a nice showing with a RBI on both of her hits.
The Tigers fell into an early hole, after the Aggies’ (26-2, 1-0 SEC) senior right fielder Cali Lanphear blasted a three-run homer over the left field wall in the first inning. LSU tacked on a run to cut the deficit down to 3-1.
But the home team didn’t look back.
Texas A&M scored a run in each of the next three innings, including two solo homers, to put the Tigers in a 6-2 hole after the fourth. LSU produced just two base runners in the final three scoreless innings.
Freshman hurler Samantha Snow held the Tigers in check en route to her NCAA-leading 15th win of the season. She recorded four strikeouts and allowed two earned runs on three hits.
Snow (15-2) walked five LSU batters, but they proved inconsequential as the visitors couldn’t take advantage of her miscues.
The Tigers will look to even the series and force a rubber match when the squads square off for Game 2 on Saturday at 3 p.m.
You can reach Marc Stevens on Twitter @MarcStevens_TDR