LSU Softball kicked off the Purple & Gold Challenge on Friday with a 6-0 win against UT Arlington. Pitcher Tatum Clopton threw a complete game allowing only two hits.

The Tigers struck first, scoring three runs in the first inning. Danieca Coffey and Maci Bergeron would both get on base with singles. Tori Edwards would hit an RBI double into left center to clean the bases.

McKaela Walker hit a grounder up the middle to bring home Edwards and that would be the last run scored by LSU until late in the game.

In the fifth inning, Avery Hodge would reach base on a walk. Then she attempted to steal second, a miscommunication between the Mavericks shortstop and second baseman caused an error.

Following that error, Hodge would advance to third, and then there would be another throwing error on the throw to the third baseman. After all the chaos Hodge would reach home plate and score for the Tigers.

Coffey reached first base on a walk and Jaila Lassiter hit an RBI double to help Coffey cross home plate. Pinch runner Maia Townsend would come into the game for Lassiter. McKenzie Redoutey hit a worm burner pass the first baseman resulting in a run scored by Townsend. LSU Tigers led 6-0 at the end of the fifth inning.

The Mavericks beat themselves this game. In the end, the Mavericks went 0-6 with runners in scoring position. Both teams had 11 runners get on base, but only the Tigers would score.

Pitcher Tatum Clopton gets her second win of the season. She gave up two hits and five walks while striking out a career-high 10 batters.

Tori Edwards would continue her stellar play with a double and two RBI’s on the day. UT Arlington’s Mia McNulty hit 2-2 and reached base on one walk.

LSU Softball takes on No.22 Northwestern in the second part of double header on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT in Tiger Park.