For the first time since LSU reinstated its softball program in 1997, the Tigers did not win the Southeastern Conference Western Division.
No. 10 LSU lost two-of-three to No. 25 Florida (38-21, 19-11 SEC) in its SEC series finale at the Florida Softball Field in Gainesville, Fla. LSU finished second in the SEC West and third overall heading into the SEC Tournament next weekend in Plant City, Fla.
The Tigers are two-time defending tournament champions and have won three of the past four titles. They will take on the sixth-place team, which will be Auburn or Tennessee.
Georgia took two-of-three from Alabama to win the SEC title, but the Tide still was able to win the SEC West crown with one win. The Bulldogs beat ‘Bama, 12-4, Sunday and split a Saturday doubleheader.
The Tigers (45-14, 20-9 SEC) were shutout, 4-0, Sunday on a strong performance from UF’s Jenny Gladding, who scattered three hits in six and two-thirds innings. Gladding (20-12) struck out 10 and walked only one.
“We ran into a red-hot pitcher today in Jenny Gladding,” said LSU coach Yvette Girourard. “Once again Kristin Schmidt gutted it out. She had a good performance but did not get much help either offensively or defensively.”
Schmidt (30-11) took the loss for the Tigers. She allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and nine strikeouts.
LSU had trouble producing runs throughout the game, but the Gators took advantage early. In the bottom of the first, leadoff batter Jackie Marchetta bunted her way on base and later advanced to third and scored on an error by catcher Leigh Ann Danos.
Second baseman Mylin Prieto then reached second on a bunt single and stole third. She scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Jennifer Mossadeghi to give Florida a 2-0 lead.
“We were kind of sleepwalking through that first inning and they kind of took it to us,” Girouard said.
LSU’s best chance to score came in the top of the third inning. After a leadoff walk to shortstop Blair Smith, Megann Steege reached on a fielder’s choice and Smith was safe at second on an error by the pitcher. With two on and no outs, the Tigers could not advance the runners, ending the inning with a pair of strikeouts and an infield foul out.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Mandy Schuerman hit a two-run shot over the right center field wall to put the Gators on top, 4-0.
In the seventh, LSU managed to put runners on first and second, but Danos struck out to end the game.
The doubleheader took its toll on the team as several players fouled balls off their shins in the second game. Hughes, Wiese, Smith and Sara Fitzgerald each had foul tip injuries in the game.
“We now need to regroup and get healthy,” Girouard said. “We need to go into postseason play with a renewed enthusiasm.”
LSU split a doubleheader with Florida Saturday, winning the first game, 2-0, before falling, 8-4, in the second game.
Kristin Schmidt recorded her 13th complete-game shutout of the season to get the game one victory. The junior from Houston became the second pitcher in LSU history to record 30 victories in a year. Schmidt allowed five hits, one walk and struck out 11.
“Kristin went out and gave one of the gutsiest performances I have seen in a long time,” Girouard said after the second game. “She has been battling a stomach virus over the past two days and still went out and did a great job for us today.”
LaDonia Hughes led the team with a 4-for-8 performance and a run scored in the doubleheader. Alicia Owen recorded a double and an RBI in the first game. Christy Connor hit her ninth home run of the season in game two, while Julie Wiese had two RBIs in the second game.
Gladding took the loss for Florida, allowing two runs on six hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in five and a third innings.
Lynam (15-3) recorded the complete-game loss in game two. She allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits with three walks.
Softball team fails to capture SEC West
May 4, 2003