No. 17 LSU softball was able to expand its winning streak to three straight against UL-Lafayette, winning 2-1 after an intense defensive battle that went to extra innings.
Although LSU only recorded two runs, it racked up an impressive 10 hits while giving up only five through 10 innings.
Both pitchers for LSU and Lafayette had impressive days. Despite a slow start for Cece Cellura, her pitching from the fourth to the ninth inning was impressive until a late triple. The junior would finish with three strikeouts and only five hits given up. Jayden Heavner’s two-inning cameo was huge, getting three strikeouts and not allowing a hit.
ULL’s pitcher, Sage Hoover, also showed to be in control throughout the contest. The junior handled some of the nation’s best batters across all 10 innings, recording six strikeouts and only giving up two runs.
Both teams started off slow, with neither recording a run in the first inning. LSU would quickly respond to its early struggles, striking first in a hard-fought second off a Kylee Edwards single that sent Tori Edwards home.
Despite LSU holding Lafayette scoreless throughout the first two innings, the Tigers’ fielding was not up to head coach Beth Torina’s standards.
Cellura was named the starting pitcher for the Tigers and gave up the first hit of the contest to Lafayette in the second inning off a double. Luckily, Cellura and company later showed good reactive fielding and held ULL to its second scoreless inning.
LSU’s defense started to struggle in the third, after a fly ball was dropped deep in left field by Char Lorenz, leading to Lafayette’s first run. After two more ULL hits, Cellura was able to get her second strikeout, escaping the inning with only one run given up.
Maci Bergeron followed up the rough defensive inning with a double on her second at-bat, giving Tiger fans hope to stretch their lead. That hope was short-lived, though, after Hoover got her second strikeout, ending the inning tied at 1-1.
LSU continued knocking on the door in the fourth and fifth, recording three singles, but again Lafayette’s defense proved strong. It seemed like LSU bats kept making good contact, but strong play by ULL’s outfield kept forcing flyouts.
Lafayette’s offense would stall in the fourth, and great fielding by LSU held the Ragin’ Cajuns hitless until the seventh inning.
ULL’s fielding also proved battle-ready, not allowing LSU to expand its lead through the next three innings as well.
With a runner on second at the top of the seventh, Torina called a timeout and convened with her infield. The discussion proved helpful for the Tigers, who would force two groundouts on the next two pitches.
Cellura and company’s efforts created the perfect opportunity for LSU to walk off the game, and with the intensity rising, the Tiger Park crowd started to come alive.
Sierra Daniel would then come up huge, knocking a triple into right-center field with the pressure of two outs bearing down on her. All eyes were set on fan-favorite Bergeron to end the game by just getting on base, but a flyout handled by ULL’s left fielder would end up taking the contest to extra innings.
LSU’s defense continued to show out, with Cellura getting a strikeout and forcing two groundouts.
For the second time today, the game would lie in the hands of LSU’s batters.
At the bottom of the eighth, a Destiny Harris walk would then be followed by an Ally Hutchins single and a Kylee Edwards walk, putting the Tigers in perfect scoring position with bases loaded. Maddox McKee was then up to finish the job, needing to get on base with the Tigers on two outs.
The Tiger Park crowd started to erupt after McKee’s ball was knocked low towards left field, but a diving Ragin’ Cajun would end up getting a clutch catch to force a ninth inning.
ULL’s senior shortstop, Cecilia Vasquez, then crushed a game-changing triple towards right-center field. The hit completely shifted the momentum for Lafayette, with batters in great scoring position and no outs.
The Tigers would not give up, though. Torina would pull Cellura after her strong performance for star pitcher Heavner. Fielding again kept LSU in the game, forcing a flyout along with an early run by a ULL runner to make it two outs. A groundout fielded perfectly would then be the third out to end a scary top of the ninth.
LSU’s offense couldn’t get more than just a base hit in its half of the ninth inning, leading to ULL gaining control again. Again, LSU fielding would hold on with Heavner recording three straight strikeouts.
LSU’s batters would again take the field, and despite tired bodies, LSU finally would take the game away. After Lorenz was walked, Kylee Edwards stepped to the plate and knocked a ball deep into right field, sending Lorenz home from first
LSU avoided the upset and moved to 10-4 on the season and 2-0 in the Purple and Gold Challenge.
