To conclude its final tournament of the regular season, LSU softball extended its win streak to 10 with another immense display of mound command and a patient but explosive offense.
On a busy Saturday for LSU sports, the Tigers claimed a 5-3 victory over Iowa and a 4-0 win over Memphis to close out February 17-4 and find a groove ahead of conference play.
LSU’s offense took advantage of its opponents’ pitching, drawing a total of 15 walks throughout both games.
Game 1 against Iowa began with Jayden Heavener in the circle, seeking her sixth win. Heavener’s first inning was a quick 1-2-3 outing. She went on to allow only three runs and four hits with two strikeouts.
Iowa’s ace, Serayah Neiss, headed into the matchup 7-0 against opponents. With a fierce combination of Tigers in the lineup, especially in the first three spots, she faced some trouble in the first four innings that would ultimately result in her first loss.
Centerfielder Jalia Lassiter started off the offense, showing off her patience at the plate that’s often hidden behind her bat strength. Lassiter drew a walk to reach base in the first at-bat of the game, with second baseman Sierra Daniel walking right after.
Sophomore Char Lorenz hit a sacrifice fly to advance Lassiter and Daniel, with first baseman Tori Edwards up next to attempt to knock in a run. A throwing error by the Hawks’ shortstop allowed Lassiter to cross home and score the first run for the Tigers before a quiet second inning.
A diving play by Lorenz in left would be crucial in the third inning for Heavener and her defense to get out of a jam that advanced an Iowa runner to scoring position. Despite Lorenz’s efforts, a fielder’s choice to record an out stealing second allowed Iowa’s Kiyah Chavez to score before the inning ended.
In retaliation to the Hawks’ run in the top half of the inning, Daniel knocked a double to right to kickstart the bottom of the third. Lorenz then hit a double down the leftfield line to allow Daniel to come home for the second run, putting LSU up 2-1. The rest of the inning was quiet with three lengthy outs.
The bottom of the fourth was a big one for the Tigers’ offense. Utility Maddox McKee, designated hitter Destiny Harris and Daniel loaded the bases with Lorenz due up at the plate.
Lorenz clobbered a double to the wall, just inches short of a home run. Iowa’s left fielder initially caught the ball but dropped it out of her glove, allowing three Tigers to quickly hustle across the plate to take a 5-1 lead.
Iowa went on to score its second run in the top of the fifth after an RBI double by infielder Nailyn Marshall. On the other end, the batters that stepped up to the plate for the Tigers’ offense in the fifth were quickly sent back by Neiss.
The top of the sixth caught Heavener in an unusual stall. The bases were loaded after the sophomore pitcher walked two of her first three batters faced.
Iowa’s catcher Leah McAnally hit a single to center, which scored a Hawks run, shortening LSU’s lead in the ballgame. Nonetheless, Heavener got herself out of the inning with a solid defense standing behind her to allow only one run and one hit.
Heavener came back in hopes of closing down the final inning, and that’s exactly what she did with the help of her outfielders. Three quick flyouts handed the Tigers a 5-3 victory.
LSU entered Game 2 versus Memphis looking to extend its now nine-game win streak. The Tigers won their previous matchup against the program Friday night in an 11-2 run-rule victory, as well as a 3-1 victory over Nicholls.
Paytn Monticelli started on the mound this time around, looking to pick up her second win on the season. Monticelli closed out the first with two huge swinging strikeouts, not allowing a single hit. She went on to record seven more strikeouts in the game, good for a total of nine.
Taylor Caton started on the diamond for the Grizzlies to face the top of LSU’s batting order. Caton struggled with walks that consistently hurt the Grizzlies defensively, totaling four walks in her two innings pitched then Mya Clark came in to relieve Caton.
Kylee Edwards was the first Tiger to walk, with third base Ci’ella Pickett battling foul balls to drive in LSU’s first run on an RBI double. LSU scored once more as Pickett reached home on a throwing error by the Grizzlies catcher to advance the Tigers’ lead 2-0.
Clark’s time came to an end after three consecutive walks loaded the bases for the Tigers. Jericho Tate entered in relief, but she hit Alix Franklin with a pitch to bring Lorenz home. Bergeron scored one more run in the inning to make it a 4-0 game.
After a lull, Lassiter scored in the bottom of the sixth on a double play to advance the Tiger lead once more. Maci Bergeron then hammered a huge three-run home run for her first of the season, lifting the Tigers up 7-0.
Pitcher Ashlin Mowery closed out the seventh to relieve Monticelli. A leaping grab by Edwards at short recorded the final out to keep the Tigers undefeated at home this season.
LSU now focuses on conference play, as it starts in Knoxville against No. 1 Tennessee on March 6, facing a program that sits at 18-0.
