LSU softball returned over the weekend with six statement wins off the back of great hitting performances, outscoring opponents 49-11.
Two standout performers were Jalia Lassiter and Sierra Daniel, who led LSU’s batting lineup in each game of the Tiger Classic.
Senior outfielder Lassiter was relied on heavily to give LSU a quick jump out of the gate, getting on base in five of her six first-inning at-bats. She walked twice while also recording two singles and a double throughout the first innings of the six games, setting LSU up for early runs in almost every contest.
“She just makes us brave,” head coach Beth Torina said. “She’s super aggressive … It’s one great thing about having her at the top of the lineup.”
After Lassiter got those leadoff hits, junior utility Sierra Daniel was called on to follow with her impressive hit power.
In the first game of the classic against N.C. State, Daniel came up clutch after Lassiter’s single, smashing a double up the middle and sending Lassiter home for a quick 1-0 first inning.
Daniel did this plenty more times throughout the contest, getting on base in three of the six first innings, while also hitting a sacrifice fly to send Lassiter home against Lamar. Daniel also got herself three first-inning runs across the classic, being a key player in forcing the four mercy rules.
“Sierra is another one you want 22 more of,” Torina said. “She does everything right.”
Early runs were a huge momentum builder for LSU across the six games. The work of Lassiter and Daniel opened up the game for the Tigers, giving runners the confidence to steal bases and forcing defenses to commit errors off rushed throws or wild pitches while trying to recover from the Tigers’ early aggressiveness.
The one-two punch of Lassiter and Daniel proved to be almost unstoppable in every game of the classic. In both games against N.C. State, the duo showed out. Lasseter recorded three runs, three hits and five RBIs, while Daniel racked up two runs and three hits off eight at-bats.
The runs didn’t stop at N.C. State either, as Lassiter and Daniel carried their momentum over to the matchups against Nevada, Illinois, and Lamar.
In the two games versus Nevada, the duo combined for five runs. Against Illinois, the duo hit the ground running, getting the first two runs of the contest and three in total while only batting in the first three innings.
Against Lamar, the combo carried the Tigers, scoring four of the eight runs. Lassiter and Daniel were almost perfect, with both getting a triple, two RBIs, and two hits against the Cardinals. Lassiter also came up clutch for the Tigers, getting a walkoff triple to send two runners home and end the game 8-0 on a run-rule.
Having two leadoff hitters that can quickly give LSU an advantage provides consistent offense that, when paired with shutout defense, makes it extremely hard for opposing teams to fight their way back into games. LSU’s ability to play ahead made the team appear fully in control of the game at all times.
Torina will be sure to keep Lassiter and Daniels as two of the focal points of this Tiger offense to continue providing early runs.
