Resilience was a key theme for LSU throughout the Judi Garman Classic after it suffered its first loss of the season to an unranked opponent.
After beating UCLA in a pitchers duel, the Tigers were bested by Cal State Fullerton in Game 2 on Thursday in a high-scoring affair.
LSU’s response showed how they’ll react to pressure throughout a long softball season.
Playing their game
The Tigers continued to play their game, not letting their opponent make them do anything differently.
Throughout the weekend, LSU continued to use the ground and play strong, speedy defense to get the job done. Despite their upset loss to the Titans, the Tigers didn’t go down without a fight.
Cal State Fullerton pulled off a 6-5 victory, but LSU outhit the Titans 6-4. Most of the Tigers’ hits came late in the game during the sixth and seventh-inning rallies.
LSU used the hard California ground and ran the bases hard and efficiently, causing Cal State Fullerton to make three errors during the game. Tigers head coach Beth Torina has mentioned both as crucial to how this LSU team plays.
Despite the loss Thursday night, the Tigers came out determined to win while playing their game. After her first loss of the season, freshman pitcher Jayden Heavener got a chance to redeem herself against Utah on Friday.
This outing was better for the freshman, and the defense worked behind her like always, nabbing LSU a resilient 2-0 victory.
Continuing to do what they do best will help the Tigers out of holes they never imagined they would be in, especially as the season goes on.
Keeping momentum and learning from mistakes
With a big win over the Bruins in a top-five matchup, LSU had momentum on its side. However, the Tigers lost control when the Titans pressured Heavener in the second inning. LSU could never regain control.
This young Tigers team rested on their laurels during the game against Cal State Fullerton, losing the momentum they had gained from beating UCLA.
Quickly, LSU learned from that mistake and came out with a vengeance on day two of the Judi Garman classic. The Tigers bested the Utes 2-0 and made quick work of Notre Dame in five innings.
This time, they kept the momentum going and finished Weber State in five, including two multi-run innings.
Learning that every game is new and everyone is gunning for you will be fundamental to LSU. Making mistakes early in the season and learning from their mistakes will make this young Tigers team more cohesive and dominant in each game they play together.
Changing things up
After keeping some familiar faces for several games, the games played on Friday and Saturday looked slightly different.
Jaila Lassiter moved from the two-hole to the six spots, and Jadyn Laneaux responded well to the high spot in the lineup. Madyson Manning and McKaela Walker got a chance to be the designated player on Friday. Maci Bergeron got a break from catching by being the Designated Player, while Jada Phillips caught on Saturday.
Other than the changes in the Designated Player spot, LSU’s pitching staff showed its depth in times of need. Sydney Berzon dominated in her outings versus the Bruins and Fighting Irish. Tatum Clopton and Ashley Vallejo also showed why they are in the mix.
Clopton came in during the Tigers’ throwdown with the Titans on Thursday, limiting the damage and only allowing two runs of her own in relief. Vallejo came in on Saturday after Emilee Casanova got into some trouble. Vallejo showed the Wildcats why she transferred from McNeese, allowing one hit in three innings on four strikeouts.
In the past, the best teams of the SEC would coast on one great pitcher and one big power hitter, but the game has changed so much that you need depth. Anyone in the lineup needs to be able to get the job done, whatever it may be at the time.
Despite the hard loss on Thursday after such a big win, this young LSU team learned from its mistakes, did its job when needed, and played its brand of softball.
This weekend, the Tigers showed why they are a force to be reckoned with by using their setback as a comeback. This type of resiliency will be necessary in the rugged SEC matchups in the following weeks.
After finishing the Judi Garman Classic with a 4-1 record, LSU will try to continue to build momentum heading into SEC play during this last week of non-conference play.
The Tigers will return home to play Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday before hosting the LSU Round Robin at Tiger Park this weekend.
