LSU softball coach Yvette Girouard got one step closer to 1,000 wins as LSU managed to win the third game of a three-game series 15-9 at Mississippi State on Thursday.
After dropping the first two games, LSU (18-13, 2-10 Southeastern Conference) bounced back for a 15-9 victory, giving Girouard her 999th career win.
Junior Lauren Castle was a record 5 for 5, a new school record as LSU snapped Mississippi State’s five-game winning streak.
LSU got on the board early in the first after scoring three runs, yet the Bulldogs countered with two runs to put the score at 3-2 heading into the second.
The Tigers’ offensive surge continued the next inning, putting up another five runs to give LSU an 8-2 lead.
Five more runs for Mississippi State kept the game close in the second inning, yet LSU pulled away in the sixth inning with four more runs thanks to two fielding errors by the Bulldogs.
The series began with Camille Harris giving LSU an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first after blasting a home run to center field.
Yet Mississippi State responded in the bottom of the inning. After starting pitcher Katie Cooley drew the leadoff walk, freshman Courtney Bures singled to left field, putting runners on first and second. Tanelda McDonald then knocked in the Bulldogs’ first run after hitting a single to left.
Jennifer Jessup then gave Mississippi State the lead after a three-run home run put LSU down 4-1. Turner was then replaced by Megan Jolly following the home run.
LSU battled back in the third inning after a single by Castle scored freshman Quinlan Duhon from second, cutting the lead to 4-2.
After getting the run back in the bottom of the inning following a suicide-squeeze by Lindsay Hunley scored Jessup from third base, Mississippi State exploded for four more runs after Michelle Kinney blasted a grand slam to give the Bulldogs a 9-2 lead. Back to back doubles by Bures and McDonald gave Mississippi State a 10-2 lead.
Freshman Tiffany Garcia then stepped in for Jolly, walking her first batter to put runners on first and second. Caylle Williams then capped off the inning with a double off the left field fence, putting the Bulldogs up 12-2.
Four runs in the top of the fourth inning put the score at 12-6 as LSU continued to crawl back. Two more runs following a sacrifice fly by Castle and a passed ball scoring Harris put LSU within four at 12-8.
After Mississippi State added another run in the bottom of the sixth, LSU continued its rally.
Beginning with a single by freshman Vanessa Soto and another by Lauren Delahoussaye, freshman Andrea Smith homered for the first time in her collegiate career to bring the score to 13-11.
After a fielder’s choice by Castle put her on first, junior Stephanie Hill grounded out to end the game and LSU’s rally.
Turner took the loss for LSU, making just one out in giving up four runs on three hits with one walk.
“We were able to outlast them more than anything,” Mississippi State coach Jay Miller said. “Michelle Kinney’s grand slam was huge for us and we kept swinging and putting runs on the board, which was a good sign.”
MSU’s win marked its first against LSU since March 2003.
For the second straight time, LSU got on the board first in the second game of the double-header after Castle singled up the middle to score freshman Dee Dee Henderson from third.
Turner came out strong to start the second game, extending a no-hitter into the fourth inning.
Yet LSU fell apart in the sixth inning. Clinging to a 1-0 lead, a fielding error by Delahoussaye scored Bures after Bures made it to third on a passed ball.
MSU then took the lead with two runners on, as Williams blasted a home run to left field, giving the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.
Despite the complete game effort, Turner took the loss after allowing four unearned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts.