A big sixth inning in Baton Rouge raised LSU softball’s batting average in a mercy rule of Louisiana Tech.
Most of the scoring for LSU occurred in the sixth inning, and most of the starters got a piece of the pie throughout the game. Maci Bergeron, Maddox McKee, McKenzie Redoutey, Tori Edwards and Jadyn Laneaux totaled nine RBI for the Tigers.
Bergeron tallied her RBI on another home run of her nine on the season, and followed it up with a sacrifice fly later in the game. McKee’s came on a double to the outfield wall, scoring two in the first inning.
Redoutey’s came on two singles to shallow right field, and in the sixth, Edwards belted a single through the 5-6 hole to drive in a run. Laneaux triggered the mercy rule with a single to right center field.
Although the run differential was comfortable, the game was competitive. LSU finally had the turnover it expected when it had runners on base, while Tech’s biggest Achilles heel throughout the game was leaving runners on base.
Both teams left six runners on base throughout the contest, but LSU tallied seven more hits throughout the contest to put runners on base with.
The lack of Tech RBIs was courtesy of the pitcher in purple and gold, Tatum Clopton. Clopton knocked the rust off in this game, although it could be argued that there wasn’t much rust there.
Clopton’s last appearance was over two weeks ago during the Georgia series, but she held her own on Wednesday. Through six innings pitched, she struck out five on three hits while walking one batter.
Clopton’s change up was a force to be reckoned with. It was the thorn in the side of the Bulldogs throughout the game, even catching the attention of announcers Lyn Rollins and Yvette Girouard.
For one of the few times this season, LSU’s win came from solid pitching and defense. The offense did its job, but the defense was mostly clean and pitching was dominant. And it is no question that Tech didn’t test the Tiger defense, their one run coming on a fielder’s choice.
To make up for the lack of power in the bats, LSU played the speed game throughout the game. The Tigers were 4-for-4 in stolen bases, and sophomore Sierra Daniel bunted for a base hit in the sixth inning. Following Daniel’s bunt, Redoutey hit a poke single and snuck her way to second on the throw to the cutoff.
On top of the speed game, LSU forced two Bulldog pitchers out of the game. Softball is a game where pitchers are the workhorses, and the Tigers made the Tech coaches use baseball relief strategy to get through the game.
Everything LSU strung together to finish the game showed why it has had the outcomes it has wanted. It doesn’t matter who The Bayou Bengals play, they play hard to win every time.
The Tigers put Louisiana Tech to bed in six innings of scrappy softball, outscoring them 9-1.
LSU travels to College Station, Texas, to take on Texas A&M for their fifth weekend of SEC play. Game 1 begins on April 11 at 6 p.m.
