The LSU softball team earned its third NCAA Super Regional appearance in five years and will battle No. 8 James Madison at 2 p.m. on Friday in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The No. 10 Tigers (48-15) will enter the Dukes’ (49-4) stadium, which sold out every seat.
JMU may not be a household name, but they had the attention of LSU coach Beth Torina and her players.
“Everyone in the country thinks they are a really talented program,” Torina said. “They work hard. They have a lot of respect from everyone in the country.”
The Dukes have a track record of success against top teams this season. Against top-25 opponents, the team is 7-2, including wins against Auburn, Tennessee and a pair of victories against Arizona.
JMU’s four losses have only seven combined runs, of which were one-run defeats, but the Dukes have never been in a Super Regional before.
Despite their opponents’ success, the Tiger players feel their experience in the postseason gives them the upperhand heading into the matchup.
“I absolutely think there is an advantage,” said junior infielder Sahvanna Jaquish. “You can’t beat experience. You can only think about it. We’ve been there before and we are ready to go back.”
Both teams bring talented bullpens to the contests.
LSU sophomore ace Carley Hoover headlines a three-player pitching rotation, which also includes sophomore Allie Walljasper and freshman Sydney Smith. JMU uses a two-gunslinger system of sophomore Megan Good and senior Jailyn Ford, who both have ERA’s below one.
Good has notched a 31-2 record from the circle, while Ford was drafted with the third overall pick to the National Pro Fastpitch league’s Akron Racers. Ford is also the Dukes’ all-time career home run record holder with 46 and has hit 11 long shots this season.
The Tigers have battle through a tough slate with 25 games against ranked opponents. They are 12-13 in those games but have won 5 of their last seven.
LSU sophomore outfielder Emily Griggs said the team’s schedule has given them the preparation for big series such as a Super Regional.
“Playing great opponents week-in and week-out is something that makes you better in the long run,” Griggs said. “Playing a team every weekend that’s in the top-10, top-15 makes you a stronger program.”
Griggs and the rest of the LSU outfield will see one difference when they take the field – a turf outfield.
JMU plays on an all-turf outfield instead of the typical grass. But as Torina reminded the media during interviews on Tuesday, the last time her team played on turf was against Louisiana Tech and LSU plated 30 runs in that matchup.
To simulate the conditions, the Tigers have been utilizing the indoor football facility, which is all turf, prior to their departure and practiced on the field itself on Thursday.
“We’ve been there on the field in three-game series with several ranked opponents this year,” Torina said. “We’ve been in this environment a lot and our kids are comfortable in it. They ‘ve succeeded in it, and they understand how to perform in it. We understand how to win in these moments.”
