No. 22 LSU softball got its first conference series win of the season on Sunday, beating No. 21 South Carolina 2-1 after a one-run comeback through the final two innings.
This marks a second straight conference win for LSU and the third of the season, making this two-win series a strong rebound after the team lost its first two series.
Despite a rough start at the plate for LSU, the Tigers were able to claw themselves back into the contest with a two-run sixth inning. LSU finished with only two hits, both of which came in the last two innings.
LSU’s Jayden Heavener and South Carolina’s Jori Heard both had big games on the mound.
Heavener finished her day with only two hits given up while recording five strikeouts. Despite a loss, Heard had another great day, letting up only one hit while striking out seven batters.
Both defenses started strong in the first inning, holding each other scoreless after a nice display of pitching. Heavener and Heard held opponents hitless while combining for three strikeouts to start the day.
The contest got intense at the top of the second after the home plate umpire called a strike on a close decision, which LSU assistant coach Bryce Neal responded to with heated protests that the call was wrong. Neal was ejected for leaving his dugout and arguing, which was quickly followed by two more strikeouts by Heard to end that half of the inning.
Pitchers stayed almost perfect in the bottom of the second and top of the third inning after Heavener dealt three straight outs, followed by another hitless inning by Heard. The Gamecocks got the first hit of the contest with a single in the bottom of the third, but again came out of the inning scoreless.
South Carolina kept LSU hitless through the fourth and fifth innings, where the Tigers went down 1-2-3 and looked hopeless at the plate.
The Gamecocks’ offense capitalized on the strong fielding by getting on the scoreboard first, after designated hitter Jamie Mackay smashed a solo home run down the infield line.
The contest picked up at the top of the sixth, after LSU’s Destiny Harris picked up the Tigers’ first hit with a bunt. A sacrifice bunt by Avery Hodge got Harris to second, before a sacrifice fly by Jaila Lassiter advanced Harris to third, sparking a big scoring opportunity while on two outs.
Sierra Daniel then walked, getting another runner on first with Tori Edwards up to try to send a runner home.
Edwards would do just that, hitting a ball deep into right-center field for a two-run double. LSU quickly turned the tide of the game and took the lead at 2-1 with that hit.
Heavener and company again were clutch, forcing another quick three outs at the bottom of the sixth.
LSU tried to raise its lead with one inning to go and came close to a third run at the top of the seventh after getting a runner on third base. That great positioning would not be enough to get another run, though, after the Gamecocks’ relief pitcher Nealy Lamb forced a fly-out.
LSU now only needed three outs to earn its first conference series win of the season, and Heavener continued to look unfazed by the pressure. She dealt a flyout and lineout in her first two pitches before ending the contest with her fifth strikeout of the day.
LSU will want to build on this win next week when it returns to Tiger Park to face Louisiana Tech on Tuesday.
