Although the Tigers clinched the Southeastern Conference Western Division Championship last weekend, LSU will look to go for the bigger prize this weekend when it welcomes the University of Florida to town for a three-game set.
The Tigers are coming off a split decision last weekend, winning the second game of the series against Auburn to clinch the SEC Western Division title.
LSU (44-8, 20-5 SEC) needs just one win to earn its fifth SEC Championship in six years.
“We’ve talked about [winning the SEC Championship] from here on in,” said coach Yvette Girouard. “It’s really all about championships. The second part of the season begins for us.”
Taking the circle for the Tigers will be senior All-American Kristin Schmidt (26-4).
Schmidt is coming off a loss in last weekend’s Auburn series despite allowing just two unearned runs on one hit with eight strikeouts.
Freshman Emily Turner will take the circle for the Tigers in the second game of the series.
Girouard said she is confident in how her pitching staff will perform.
“I think [Schmidt and Turner] look really good right now,” Girouard said. “We’ve worked really hard with their conditioning, so I’m real pleased.”
Turner also said she has gained a good bit of confidence over the past week.
“After this last week of practice, I’m very confident in what I have,” Turner said. “I’ve been working hard, and pitches have been doing exactly what I want them to do, so I couldn’t be happier right now.”
Florida is led by pitcher Jenny Gladding, who has a record of 17-4. Gladding is currently leading the team with a 0.78 ERA.
The Gators (39-14, 15-11 SEC) are coming off a sweep at the hands of Mississippi State last weekend.
Despite losing the first two games of the series, the Gators managed to put together a 4-0 lead in the third game before it was called because of rain.
Leading the LSU offense will be sophomore outfielder Camille Harris, who recently earned Louisiana Hitter of the Week honors following her performance in last weekend’s series.
Girouard said Harris is the type of player who can pick up an entire team.
“We run in spurts a little bit,” Girouard said. “We’ve had some people that have gone a little dead on us in prime time situations, but then we have other bats that are starting to wake up again.”
Girouard added the LSU offense is one that should constantly be in motion.
“That’s the beauty of our lineup,” Girouard said. “When people are struggling, it’s a good lineup so that somewhere, sometime, we should be producing runs.”
Harris put together a 4-for-9 performance last week, batting .444 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Harris said losing one game to Auburn last weekend can only benefit the team.
“I think we’re ready,” Harris said. “We have a lot of aggression built up from Auburn, so we know what’s at stake, and we just need to go out and play Tiger softball.”
The LSU offense will need to pick it up against the Florida pitchers, who rank No. 2 in the SEC with a 1.52 ERA.
“I think we all know what time it is,” Harris said. “I think with me turning it on right now, all eight other batters will turn it on as well.”