LSU took its first loss of SEC play versus Georgia on Sunday.
After winning Games 1 and 2, the Tigers struggled to keep the Bulldogs off the board.
The game went scoreless in the first two innings, and it looked like a potential pitchers’ duel, but the third inning came up big for both teams. LSU got on the board with a McKenzie Redoutey single and tacked on another run in the inning. Georgia followed suit with a single up the middle and scored big on a grand slam.
Sydney Berzon got the start for the Tigers but was pulled in the fourth inning after getting into another jam. Tatum Clopton got the nod in relief but struggled a bit herself, giving up a few walks.
Berzon was given the decision for the game, and it was her first loss of the season.
The Bulldogs had some fire in their bats today. They figured out Berzon early and made Clopton throw the ball over the plate. The Tigers started hot, but they couldn’t get it back when they lost the momentum.
LSU showed their fight in Game 2 but couldn’t perform a replica performance on Sunday. It’s only the second loss of the season for this young Tigers team, and it could be good to take some losses early in such a long season.
In a preseason press conference, LSU head coach Beth Torina said that this team will play better the deeper into the season. The Tigers have started to gel on the field, but there were a few miscommunications that proved to be costly.
There is no doubt that this team is a force to be reckoned with, but the little things can’t be overlooked on the biggest stage. Fly balls can be tricky at Tiger Park because it’s located off the Mississippi River, but anywhere else, this team has to communicate well and focus on the details.
It’s not the big, outstanding plays that win ball games; it’s the ability to do the little things correctly that makes a good team great.
LSU has fought and demonstrated its grittiness countless times this season. Being able to win every year isn’t what they need to end the season in Oklahoma City. The Tigers need to be consistent.
Although LSU dropped Game 3, they won the series in the first two games. The Bulldogs grabbed the series finale 11-3 in six innings.
The Tigers will look to bounce back on the road Tuesday night against UL-Lafayette.
