LSU struck gold Wednesday night as the Tigers rolled past the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M 7-0 in Tiger Park.
Decked out in their all-gold uniforms, LSU (28-7) ended its two-game losing streak. The Tigers dropped two straight to the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs this past weekend.
Led by the pitching of freshman Emily Turner, LSU put up 13 hits while Turner held the Bulldogs (8-23) to just two.
Although she earned the win, Turner said there is still room to improve.
“I can’t really be complacent with just two hits,” Turner said. “Even though I’m a freshman, I really think I should have held them to zero hits.”
LSU coach Yvette Girouard said she was fairly pleased with the way Turner pitched.
“[She did] a little bit better,” Girouard said. “She definitely controlled [Alabama A&M]. The growth continues.”
LSU jumped out to the early lead in the bottom of the first inning following a two-run home run by sophomore Lauren Castle.
Castle finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs, extending her hitting streak to eight games.
Freshman Leslie Klein added the exclamation point with a solo home run to left field, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead. It was Klein’s team-leading ninth home run of the year.
LSU added two more runs in the third inning with a Stephanie Hill single, scoring Lauren Delahoussaye.
Following a pop-out by Kristin Hobbs, senior Sara Fitzgerald knocked in Hill with a single to left field.
It was Fitzgerald’s only hit of the game as she went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Girouard said she was pleased with the way the team played.
“We did what we needed to do tonight,” Girouard said. “Alabama A&M was a little better team than I thought. They made some nice plays.”
LSU put the finishing touches on the Bulldogs in the fifth inning with two more runs.
Following a leadoff double by Hobbs, senior LaDonia Hughes brought her home with an infield single.
Pinch hitter Leigh Ann Danos then knocked Hughes in with a single to center, giving the Tigers a commanding 7-0 lead.
Hughes, who went 1-for-3 in the nine spot, said she was not happy with her performance as an individual.
“I definitely did not do my best,” Hughes said. “Not even close to it.”
Turner, looking for her first no-hitter of the year, managed to throw five innings of no-hit ball.
Alabama A&M second baseman Kelly Hendrix then broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff single in the top of the sixth inning.
Turner said she lost the no-hitter because she was jinxed.
“Actually, somebody jinxed me,” Turner said. “I went out on the field and somebody said, ‘Look at the scoreboard, you have a no-hitter going.’ I was like,’thanks.'”
Turner added that there are a few things she’s looking to improve on.
“I need to get my change-up down,” Turner said. “It’s either wonderful or it’s not.”
Although the Tigers put up two errors in the game, Girouard said it is something they have got to continue working on.
“The errors are something that have disgusted me all year,” Girouard said. “We work on it everyday. It’s all we can do to try and get better.”
LSU will now begin preparations for the weekend series at No. 6 Alabama.
“We’ve got to get better tomorrow,” Girouard said. “We know what looms ahead.”