LSU’s thirteenth ranked softball team used clutch pitching and its seniors to defeat No. 11 Washington 4-0 in Game 1 Saturday at Tiger Park.

Freshman hurler Sydney Smith led the Tigers (41-13, 13-11 Southeastern Conference) from the circle to take the opening contests the Huskies (32-12, 13-8 Pac-12).

Smith’s complete game shutout lowered her nation-leading ERA from 0.60 to 0.55. She allowed three hits and two walks, while striking out four hitters in the victory.

Washington’s lineup came into the series with a .340 batting average. LSU’s rookie gunslinger held the potent Huskies hitters to only .130.

Entering the fourth innings, the contest could have gone either way after the Tigers’ lead was only the lone run plated in the frame prior.

That didn’t last long.

The Tigers used four hits and an error to score three more runs to put distance between themselves and the visitors. But the squad wasn’t done.

In the sixth, LSU padded its lead with a pair of runs to produce the final scoreline. On Senior Weekend, Tigers’ senior hitters led the way to the dominant opening win.

Senior infielders Bianka Bell and Sandra Simmons both recorded two RBI’s during the game, while senior designated player Kellsi Kloss notched an RBI of her own. Half of the team’s 10 hits were produced by the trio of LSU seniors.

The Tigers will look to claim the series victory in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader. First pitch for the second contest is set to begin at 6:45 p.m.