LSU Softball continues its red-hot start to the beginning of the season with a convincing victory against No. 17-ranked Virginia Tech by a final score of 7-2, increasing the win streak to nine games.
Placing an emphasis on coming out of the gate strong, the Tigers’ offense continues to make strides from an offensive standpoint.
Following a sacrifice fly to center field, which came off the bat of senior outfielder McKenzie Redoutey, the Tigers took an early 1-0 lead over the impressive Hokies squad.
Entering the bottom of the second inning, sophomore left-handed pitcher Emma Mazzarone found herself having problems navigating the bottom of the Tigers’ lineup.
With two baserunners reaching courtesy of a single from sophomore outfielder Jadyn Laneaux and a walk drawn by redshirt senior infielder Danieca Coffey, the floodgates were soon to be unleashed.
Junior outfielder Jalia Lassiter, who is one of the most notable rising talents on the Tigers’ roster, blasted a single to right field and plated a baserunner with two outs in the inning.
And following a wild pitch that scored Coffey, junior catcher Maci Bergeron, who’s arguably the most consistent hitter in the batting lineup, launched a no-doubt moonshot to left-center field to give the Tigers an early 5-0 lead.
Bergeron now has two home runs on the season, which is already halfway to reaching her home run total from last season. Facing such a massive deficit, Virginia Tech could not answer.
Freshman phenom left-handed pitcher Jayden Heavener continues to dominate at the mound. Pitching another complete game, Heavener finished with five strikeouts and allowed a season-high of five hits and two walks as well.
Additionally, both teams flashed the glove on the defensive side of the diamond.
In the bottom of the fifth inning and two outs, utility redshirt freshman Tori Edwards absolutely hammered the ball into deep left-center field. With the Hookies down 7-0 and facing a potential nine-run rule that would ultimately end the game early, senior outfielder Bre Peck reached up and grabbed the ball at the outfield wall and robbed Edwards of a homerun.
After this phenomenal catch, the top of the sixth inning consisted of the Hookies scoring two runs off of a double by Peck, who robbed the homerun in the previous inning, and a sacrifice grounder to shortstop off of the bat of sophomore infielder Michelle Chatfield.
Moving on to the top of the seventh inning, with one out and one runner on first base, sophomore infielder Annika Rohs belted a sharp line drive that was caught by Tigers’ first baseman Tori Edwards. She would finish the double play by tagging the base, due to the Hookies’ baserunner running on contact.
No. 7-ranked LSU Softball has its sights on continuing to build momentum in their upcoming rematch against No.17-ranked Virginia Tech on Feb. 15, at 11:30 a.m. CST at Tiger Park.
After this game, the Tigers will have a short break until Penn State and Southern Miss travel to Baton Rouge on Friday, Feb. 21, at 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. CST to face the scorching purple and gold.
