LSU won its second contest of the road series versus Missouri 16-4 after a dominant ten-run batting performance in the final three innings.
Missouri had a strong opening inning, but could only put up one run through the rest of the contest, recording just two hits through the final six innings. On the other hand, LSU was unstoppable after a rough first inning, tying a season high 15 hits in the contest while putting up the most runs in a single game this season.
Now LSU has racked up 25 runs through its past two contests, showing huge improvement on the offensive side.
The win was also headlined by a monumental performance by Kylee Edwards, who recorded a cycle, with four RBIs off a single, a double, triple and a home run.
Other great performances came from Jaila Lassiter, Sierra Daniel and Tori Edwards, who all punched in three runs each off a variety of big hits.
After only allowing one hit to LSU in the top of the first, Missouri’s offense started hot, recording three runs in the first inning off an RBI single and a two-run homer hit by Abby Carr.
LSU quickly recovered in the second inning, after Tori Edward struck a ball deep into center field for the Tigers’ first run of the contest. LSU kept finding their way onto bases after the run, with a double by Maci Bergeron and a walk from Avery Hodge, but it couldn’t put up another run while in a great position to.
LSU’s defense seemed to wake up in the second inning, getting a quick 1-2-3 inning to fight back from the poor start.
At the top of the third inning, LSU’s bats stayed hot. Sierra Daniel started the inning by getting on base with a single, before another home run was hit into center field by Kylee Edwards, tying the game at 3-3.
Missouri’s pitcher, Marissa McCann, seemed to not be very comfortable throwing into the strike zone after the two homers, leading to walks to Bergeron and Tori Edwards. With the bases loaded, Hodge would hit a single which sent one more runner home.
LSU held on to their one run lead at the bottom of the third, not allowing a hit in another 1-2-3 out inning.
Mizzou kept McCann out on the mound for the start of the fourth inning, but still she had no answer for the red hot LSU offense. Alix Franklin decided to get her name on the scoreboard, smashing a ball deep into left field for her fourth home run of the season.
Missouri head coach Larrissa Anderson would finally pull McCann after she gave up her sixth run, letting Carr get her turn on the mound.
Carr would hold up in the fourth and would not allow another run through the end of the inning. In Missouri’s turn at-bat, though, LSU’s defense continued to seem unbeatable, forcing their third straight hitless inning.
LSU and Missouri would exchange runs in the fifth inning, after a double from Daniel sent Lassiter home for her first run of the contest. Missouri’s run came after second baseman Madison Uptegrove hit a single and later advanced to third off a sacrifice bunt, setting her up for a run off a wild pitch by Cece Cellura.
The sixth inning would go in LSU’s favor, taking all hope away from Missouri for an unlikely comeback. Char Lorenz and Bergeron started the inning by getting on base off a walk and single. Maddox McKee then got her first hit of the day with a single, sending Lorenz home.
Jada Phillips was then subbed in for Bergeron to run bases. Phillips then was sent home from third after a groundout by Hodge. On the next at-bat Lassiter would advance the lead to seven, with a two-run homer hit into left field.
Kylee Edwards would record a double at the end of the inning, but Missouri’s defense was able to end the inning on the next at-bat with a groundout.
Again LSU held Missouri scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, and would bury them in runs in the seventh inning.
LSU quickly loaded bases with walks and a fielding error by Missouri, leaving McKee up to punch in a run. She’d do just that after hitting a groundout, which sent Edwards home.
The runs would not stop there. After Hodge, Bergeron and Lassiter got on base, Daniel hit a single which sent home two runners. Kylee Edwards then completed her cycle on the next at-bat with a triple sending Lassiter and Daniel home for the fourth and fifth runs of the inning.
After a groundout by Franklin, LSU’s defense would end the contest after Cellura forced her second strikeout along with a groundout.
LSU took home the contest comfortably, and now looks to finish off its first series sweep Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT with a third win against Missouri.
