The LSU softball team sent its seniors out in style, using a four-run fifth inning to beat Southern Miss, 7-3, on senior night at Tiger Park.
Center fielder LaDonia Hughes went 3-for-4 and senior first baseman Christy Connor went 2-for-2 to pace LSU at the plate, and the Tigers overcame losing a three-run lead in the middle of the game.
LSU coach Yvette Girouard said the team hit well in the game, specifically Connor, who Girouard said was not distracted by any of the senior activities.
“It’s always very emotional for this team,” Girouard said. “You always worry about their performance, but she [Connor] got a hit right off the bat, so I knew she’d be OK.”
Kristin Schmidt (29-10) pitched a complete game for LSU, giving up three runs on four hits and striking out 11 batters. Schmidt also struck out the final six USM batters of the game.
“I felt good all game, and I felt I had good command of my pitches,” Schmidt said. “I always feel like our offense is going to be able to come out and produce.”
Danielle Wymer (5-10) took the loss for Southern Miss after pitching four innings. Wymer gave up five earned runs and walked three.
The Tigers (44-12, 19-7 Southeastern Conference) scored two runs in the second, first on a single to left field from Blair Smith to score Tessa Lynam. Catcher Jennie Reeves followed with an RBI single to give the team a 2-0 lead.
Reeves, one of three seniors honored before the game, went 1-for-3. She said the night was a little emotional for her, but she was glad she could get a hit for the home crowd.
“It felt awesome,” Reeves said of her lone hit. “You always want to go 4-for-4 in your last game but getting at least one hit definitely helped out.”
LSU added another run in the third on a sacrifice fly from Alicia Owen.
The Lady Eagles (25-27) battled back in the top of the fourth, tying the game at three. Schmidt had a no-hitter going into the inning, but USM first baseman Tammy Edwards broke it up with a single to start the rally.
“Southern Miss was swinging the bats tonight,” Reeves said. “They came out that inning aggressive and ready to go. They had a great inning, and they hit the ball where it was pitched.”
After loading the bases on a pair of walks, Schmidt gave up three singles in a row. Ashley Davis, Ashley Brennan and Jessica Huerta knocked in runs to relinquish the lead from the Tigers.
“Kristen ran into a little trouble in that one inning, but then she kind of found it,” Girouard said. “She kind of lost her focus after giving up that one hit. When you walk two people in an inning, you’re inviting disaster and that’s what happened.”
LSU soared back in the fifth, scoring first on a RBI single from Julie Wiese. Then with the bases loaded and no-outs, Alicia Owen drove a ball deep to right field that appeared to go over but was ruled a single. The Tigers scored two more on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout from Blair Smith.
“I don’t think we panicked,” Girouard said. “They know as an offense we can score runs.”