While the LSU softball team struggled at the plate in its opening series last weekend, the team’s pitching, a big question mark at the beginning of the season, proved solid by only giving up eight runs in five games.
Head coach Yvette Girouard was disappointed in the team’s performance at the plate but said the players will see better days in the batter’s box.
“Offensively, we can do so much better than what we’re doing right now,” Girouard said. “I know we’ll score more runs, especially when Tessa [Lynam] comes back in the lineup.”
Lynam pitched two games in the series with a broken bone on her glove hand, garnering two wins against Stephen F. Austin. Despite having a cast on her glove hand, Lynam pitched 11 2/3 innings and said she did not feel any pain.
“I didn’t think about it too much,” Lynam said.
Girouard was happy with Lynam’s performance, especially when it was unclear if Lynam could pitch until just before the series.
“I didn’t know exactly what we were going to get, but she throws a four-hitter, and she looked like she got stronger as she threw,” Girouard said after Friday’s win over SFA. “I’m very pleased with the performance. Just wait until we get that bat back.”
Kristen Schmidt pitched well for the Tigers during the series as well, giving up only two earned runs and striking out 10 batters. She also threw a no-hitter against Baylor in the Friday night game.
“It’s not a fun day to play softball, but when your team goes 2-0, you’ll take it and run with it,” Girouard said after LSU’s 1-0 win over the Bears. “Her team played great defense behind her.”
DePaul had no problems with its pitching rotation either, going 5-0 to take the tournament championship. The Blue Demons allowed one earned run in the series for a 0.21 ERA.
The 1-2 combination of Lindsay Chouinard and Sarah Martz proved better than LSU’s tandem. Martz finished the weekend with a 2-0 record, a 0.58 ERA and hit .455 with 3 doubles and 11 RBIs to earn a spot on the Tiger Classic all-tournament team.
Chouinard pitched 22 shutout innings, including a one-hitter against the Tigers Saturday night and earned the tournament MVP. The pitcher was also two outs away from a perfect game but said not achieving it did not bother her.
“I don’t think it was a disappointment,” Chouinard said. “Last year when I came here I made it to the last out and had a perfect game and gave it up, so maybe it’s just an LSU thing.”
LSU shortstop Blair Smith, who is usually known for defense, hit .333 to lead the Tigers. Smith said Chouinard gave the Tigers trouble, particularly with her change-up.
“She’s a good pitcher,” Smith said. “We have trouble with the slower pitchers.”