For the first time in the 46 years that the LSU softball program has competed, a player successfully produced the first ever Tigers’ cycle.
The name Kylee Edwards has been said across softball networks all season in relation to her performance. As one of LSU’s 11 newcomers this season, Edwards has displayed nothing short of dominance at the plate.
In LSU’s second game of its series versus Mizzou on Saturday, the junior shortstop came up big for the Tigers. Edwards hit for the first cycle in program history to contribute to the win.
Edwards wasn’t even aware that her cycle was the first time an LSU player had reached that accomplishment. When informed by Nate Gatter and Ashley Moore on the SEC Network broadcast postgame, Edwards laughed and said three words: “Really? That’s awesome.”
The cycle effort began in the third inning with a two-run home run that allowed the Tigers to comeback from a slight deficit and take a 4-3 lead. Later in the fifth, Edwards singled to complete the second step towards a potential cycle.
The next inning? A double through the left side to give Missouri some more trouble.
In the seventh and final inning of the game, Edwards needed to hit the hardest base total of the cycle: a triple.
Her at bat wasn’t guaranteed though, as seven batters stood between her and the chance at history.
But after Mizzou gave up three runs before Edwards stepped in the box, with two outs and two Tigers aboard, she got her chance.
On a 1-1 count, Edwards swung with hopes to keep the offense alive — despite LSU’s 14-4 lead.
“I hit the gap with the outside pitch and I took off around first base,” Edwards said. “I was like, ‘Oh shoot, this might be it.’ I took off as fast as I could.”
Edwards had knocked a two-run RBI triple to bring the Tigers up 16-4, making history in her first year in purple and gold as she completed the cycle.
“When I was up to bat, I didn’t realize that I was a triple away from a cycle,” Edwards said. “For some reason, I hit second base and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, go, run, run,’ then I slid in [to third]. I looked over at the dugout and saw my teammates and the coaches. It was so surreal.”
