LSU softball fell in late-inning drama by a score of 6-5 in Game 3 against Texas.
After leading Games 1 and 2, the Tigers took a page from the Longhorns’ book for Game 3. The purple and gold didn’t strike first in this game but came from behind, similar to Texas in Game 1.
The Longhorns struck early in the second inning, courtesy of a Reese Atwood solo home run. It might’ve been a long ball, but it was the first hit of the day for Texas. LSU returned to work in the circle to keep the lead to one run and scratched its go-ahead run across late in the game.
The burnt orange might have painted the scoreboard first, but the game was all Tigers. LSU threatened more often but just struggled to push runs across early. In each inning, at least one Bayou Bengal got on base.
LSU struck back in the fifth inning with a Danieca Coffey infield single, and she had the go-ahead RBI in the top of the seventh inning after Texas took the lead. The lineup changes made on Friday stuck around for Saturday and gave the Tigers the momentum they needed to finish the series strong.
McKenzie Redoutey blasted her third home run of the season. The shot was big, putting it over the 10-foot wall in right-center field.
Other than that, the game was a true pitchers’ duel, from the lack of hits and limited free passes to limited runs scored. LSU even resorted to its small ball in the game’s middle innings to get something going.
Texas ended up coming back with late-inning drama in the seventh to walk it off on an infield single back to Sydney Berzon, who was working in relief.
The matchup of the weekend that everyone wanted to see was flamethrower versus flamethrower, and they got it on Sunday. Jayden Heavener took the mound for LSU, and Teagen Kavan put in the work for Texas.
Jayden Heavener went from her usual spot as the Game 2 starter to starting Game 3 for the Tigers’ weekend in Austin. After a few rough weekends in SEC play, the freshman seemed calmer and more locked in for her start against Texas.
Heavener looked like she did during her season-opening start against Charlotte in which she had a perfect game. Her stat line looked cleaner in this game than in any of her SEC starts. Even in the fourth inning, when the Longhorns had their most significant threat of the game, she induced a pop-out to first baseman Tori Edwards to end the inning.
Through 5.2 innings pitched, Heavener totaled two strikeouts and two walks while allowing four runs.
The SEC is even more contentious than usual with Texas and Oklahoma added. LSU is playing a competitive series with the Longhorns, which proves its contention for an SEC and National title. The Tigers’ five losses in a row in SEC play light a fire under them.
The Longhorns topped the Tigers 5-6 to win the game and series.
LSU will continue to try to build momentum during its midweek matchup with McNeese on Tuesday. The first pitch will be at 6 p.m. at Tiger Park.
