Tigers fall to Nebraska, Alabama in tourney
This weekend at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association LeadOff Classic, revenge was exacted.
But the No. 5 Tigers were on the wrong side of the revenge.
The tournament’s eventual champion, No. 9 Nebraska, defeated the Tigers 1-0 in pool play after falling to LSU just two weekends ago in the UNLV Invitational. No. 18 Alabama defeated LSU, 3-2, in the Gold Bracket semifinal to advance for a chance to win the tournament title after being knocked off by LSU for the SEC West title a year ago.
Head coach Yvette Girouard said her team ran into Nebraska pitcher Peaches James, the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, in its second pool game.
“In Nebraska, we ran into a hot pitcher,” Girouard said. “We had our chances. We are leaving too many people on base.”
In the loss to ’Bama, the Tigers continued to leave runners on base. Of the 11 base runners left on, the most important runner was the tying run left stranded at third base in the seventh and last inning.
Pitcher Kristin Schmidt carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, but the Tigers’ inability to play solid defense and make solid plays hurt them. A throw over the first baseman’s head by shortstop Blair Smith and a wild pitch on an attempted intentional walk by Schmidt allowed Alabama overcome a 2-0 deficit.
“It was extremely frustrating,” Girouard said. “We literally threw the game away. It was a chance to possibly win the entire tournament. It has me a little concerned.”
The matchup against the Crimson Tide gave Girouard and her team a chance to face off against their chief competition. Girouard said her first impression of ’Bama this season was not overwhelming.
“He threw his No. 3 [pitcher] at us,” Girouard said. “Offensively, they aren’t as good as in the past and their defense is suspect. However, we do have to go to Alabama this year.”
The problem of leaving runners in scoring position has come to the attention of Girouard. She said it has been something the squad works on frequently.
“Runners in scoring position is something we work on every day,” Girouard said. “We have to continue to do that. It’s really what’s hurting us right now.”
Girouard also expressed continued concern with the Tiger bats, but was pleased that sophomore Julie Wiese finally got going after a slow start.
“It’s good,” Girouard said of Wiese’s tournament explosion. “You want her to succeed because she’s worked so hard.”
Wiese hit .538 for the tournament, hit a home run and scored five runs. Girouard said she would like to get two or three bats going and provide a needed spark for the Tigers.
Schmidt also was named to the all-tournament team after posting a 2-0 record and a 1.12 ERA. Schimdt led a pitching staff that Girouard said showed more consistency. Still, the lack of offense has given the staff no margin for error.
“We make a commitment to score runs a game for our pitchers,” Girouard said. “We have to leave us some space to breathe. We aren’t dominating [in the circle] like we can. We’re trying to find ourselves on the mound.”
In order to face ’Bama in the semis, the Tigers had to beat a solid No. 13 Fresno State team. The Tigers were able to beat the Bulldogs 1-0 and knock off pitcher Jaime Southern.
“We had a great win over Fresno,” Girouard said. “That pitcher hadn’t been beat and we beat her.”
LSU opened up pool play with a 5-0 victory over New Mexico and finished pool play with a 9-3 win over University of Illinois-Chicago.
Chris Gibson