LSU softball shook some things up to pull it together to even the series against Texas.
After giving the game away late in Game 1, the Tigers’ offense decided to give the Longhorns a taste of their own medicine. LSU scored two runs in the top of the first inning, and each out was either productive or well-struck.
The usual offensive producers for LSU showed up on the day, including McKenzie Redoutey, who was back in the lineup on Friday. Maci Bergeron and Redoutey both earned an RBI in the first inning.
The defense kept the burnt orange off the board in the first game of the series, and the torch was passed to the offense to get the job done in Game 2.
The offense might have been hot, but the defense didn’t slack either. Avery Hodge showed off her abilities at shortstop, and it can be seen why she is a 2x National Champion for one of the best teams in the country.
The bats weren’t the only thing that changed the Tigers’ momentum. Head coach Beth Torina made a few changes to this lineup that seemed to bring everything together for LSU.
Tatum Clopton started over the usual Game 2 starter, Jayden Heavener. Clopton made her second SEC start against Texas on Friday, and she looked sharper than the previous weekend in College Station. Even on the pitches the Longhorns took for a ride, the pitches were spotted well.
Sydney Berzon came in during the fifth inning to take over.
In addition to the pitching change, the batting lineup also had a few changes.
Tori Edwards and Bergeron switched spots, and the two to four spots proved more productive this game than in the first game. Jalia Lassiter acted as a second leadoff in this game, getting on base whenever Danieca Coffey failed to do so, and Edwards and Bergeron wasted no time scoring her.
With Redoutey back in the lineup, Savanna Bedell sat on the bench for the game. Hodge moved from the nine-hole to the six spots, and Maddox McKee returned at the designated player spot so Sierra Daniel could play second base.
The offense worked together better in this game than in the last few. The lineup changes could be key to LSU’s getting out of its recent slump.
The lineup changes, and Clopton in the circle adds to the fire lit under the Tigers. It could be what LSU needs to punch its ticket to the postseason and Oklahoma City.
After all, the LSU baseball team changed its lineup frequently throughout the postseason. Tigers softball could take a page from their book and pull it together for the remainder of the season.
The momentum is finally returning to the purple and gold for the first time since the Texas A&M series.
LSU defeated Texas 6-1. The rubber match between these two teams is Saturday at 11 a.m. CDT in Austin.
