LSU softball swept Centenary in a midweek doubleheader behind two strong pitching performances from Tessa Lynam and Kristin Schmidt.
Schmidt (17-9) threw a complete game no-hitter, striking out 13 batters to blank the Ladies, 4-0, in game one. She just missed a perfect game, hitting Centenary first-baseman Katie Meinen in the fifth inning.
“In my last two starts, I’ve been getting ahead of hitters more instead of pitching from behind,” Schmidt said.
LSU head coach Yvette Girouard said Schmidt and Lynam pitched well in both games. She said Schmidt has improved her game recently, cutting down on mistakes that hurt her in past games.
“They made a lot of good plays when they needed to make them,” Girouard said.
Centenary ace Cheyenne Daries (7-9) took the loss in game one. Daries threw a complete game, giving up nine hits, three earned runs and walking five batters.
The Tigers (29-11, 8-6 Southeastern Conference) scored three runs in the first inning on RBI singles from Julie Wiese and Lauren Delahoussaye and Sara Fitzgerald’s run on an error. Wiese and Fitzgerald were 1-for-3 in the game.
They added an insurance run in the sixth when Christy Connor singled to left field to score LaDonia Hughes. Hughes went 4-for-4 with two runs scored to lead LSU at the plate.
“She’s got to get on base, that’s why she’s here,” Girouard said of the Tiger center fielder. “She creates havoc, gets on base and scores. She has to create more opportunities for us.”
Lynam (12-2) pitched six 1/3 innings in game two, scattering five hits and striking out five batters to get the 2-0 win.
After tough outings against Mississippi State and Alabama the last two weekends, Girouard said she wanted Lynam to get some confidence against Centenary (17-19).
“She [Lynam] has good pitches, she just has to make a better effort of throwing more good pitches in a game,” Girouard said.
Cathleen Byrne (6-9) pitched four innings in the losing effort in the second game of the twin bill.
Schmidt came in with one out and runners on second and third in the seventh. She promptly struck out the last two batters to end the Centenary rally and notch her third save of the season.
The Tigers got their first run on a sacrifice fly from Sara Fitzgerald in the third inning to score Blair Smith. They added another in the sixth on a two out, pinch-hit double from Alicia Owen for a two-run cushion.
LSU will play a makeup doubleheader against McNeese State Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. at Tiger Park.
Softball shuts out Centenary in sweep
April 3, 2003