The seventh-ranked LSU softball team hosts the Tennessee Volunteers in its first Southeastern Conference series of the season as the Tigers seek their fifth-consecutive SEC Championship.
The teams play a doubleheader starting Saturday at 11 a.m. and conclude the three-game series Sunday at 11 a.m. in Tiger Park.
Tennessee (16-6) has won eight of its last 10 games, including a sweep of Belmont in a doubleheader Wednesday. Stacey Jennings, a freshman, leads the Volunteers both offensively and defensively. She ranks second on the team with a .423 batting average, including seven home runs, and she also touts a 9-4 record with a 1.56 ERA as a pitcher.
LSU (16-5) also has won eight of its last 10 games, including 5-of-6 in last weekend’s Purple and Gold Challenge.
The Tigers started the tournament last Friday with wins over Houston and Jackson State.
LSU managed only three hits against Houston in a 4-0 win, but the Tiger bats came alive against Houston in a 19-0 victory. Tessa Lynam pitched a no-hitter and struck out 11 batters as she earned the victory for LSU. The sophomore also led LSU from the plate going 4-for-5 including five RBIs.
LSU split a pair of games on Saturday. The Tigers defeated Southern Miss 4-0, while falling to Houston 3-1.
The Tigers defeated Jackson State on Sunday 9-1 to advance to the tournament championship game. The game lasted only six innings as LSU eight-run ruled JSU with a seven-run sixth inning.
LSU third baseman Julie Wiese led the Tigers in an 8-0 route of Houston in the tournament championship game. Wiese went 2-for-2 from the plate, including three runs scored. Kristin Schmidt earned the win for LSU in the circle.
Schmidt (8-4) starts the SEC slate with a 0.71 ERA. The Houston, Texas native pitched 19 innings, struck out 24 batters and allowed seven hits in three games last weekend. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
LSU head coach Yvette Girouard likes the way Schmidt has performed this season and believes the Tiger hurler is nearly unbeatable when she is on top of her game.
“Kristin has pitched well all year,” said Girouard said. “She’s a very good pitcher and when she is on, she is tough to beat.”
After last weekend’s tournament, LSU head coach Yvette Girouard said all SEC opponents will be gunning for the Tigers beginning this weekend with Tennessee.
“We have told the team that all eyes are going to be focused on the Tigers starting next week, and that is the way we want it,” Girouard said.