The LSU softball team went up against the Florida Gators in Tiger Park, and what started off as a pretty slow game in the first inning was quickly turned around as the Gators had not one but two home runs to record in the top of the second inning.
The Tigers would go scoreless in the second inning as the Gators would continue to dominate as they would have another home run entering the third, leading 8-0. The Tigers would finally respond when Freshmen Utility player Tori Edwards recorded her 17th home run of the season. Edwards was able to give the Tigers a little bit of hope as they were only down four at the end of the third inning.
“I mean, I went into that like yeah, we were down, but again, it was earlier in the game,” Edwards said. “So, if there was a chance, like we still are in this game. We are so capable of producing runs against whoever we’re playing, so I had no doubt.”
The Tigers switched out Freshman Pitcher Jayden Heavener for Junior Pitcher Tatum Clopton, but it still wasn’t enough to stop the Gators’ offense as they would continue to score at least one run in each inning. The Gators would blow out the Tigers with a final score of 14-4.
Heavener would have three strikeouts in 55 pitches, while Clopton would have two strikeouts in 95 pitches. Clopton knows the SEC is a tough conference, but in order to win, the Tigers will have to dig deep and find the rhythm they started off with at the beginning of the season.
“I think it’s just doing a great job in preparing us for what’s going to come in the postseason,” says Clopton. “We’re going to have to dig deep and find it, or we may be in trouble.”
Coach Beth Torina was not pleased with the Tigers’ performance, especially with the offense. Torina says they weren’t able to find the answers to stop the Gators and their offensive performance.
“Yeah, it’s just a tough day,” Torina said. “Obviously, we didn’t pitch well at all. Just couldn’t seem to find the answers for them, and with offense, you can’t have a day off or an off day and try to get people like that out. It just doesn’t work out.”
Although Coach Trina was disappointed in the Tigers’ performance, the Tigers are hopeful to bounce back as they take on the Gators tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Tiger Park
