LSU’s Cece Cellura and Kylee Edwards were the recipe the Tigers needed to dish No. 12 Arizona its second consecutive loss as the Tigers took Game 2 of the series 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
In the bottom of the first inning, Edwards smashed a triple into right field, sending baserunner Jalia Lassiter to score early on for the Tigers.
“She [pitcher] happened to throw it away, and I took it that way,” Edwards said. “I got a triple out of it. I think this year is my first time hitting triples, so I must’ve gotten faster.”
The very next play, sophomore right fielder Alix Franklin hit a pop up into left field, allowing Edwards to score and take a 2-0 lead.
After a productive inning for the Tigers on offense, there seemed to be no great execution for the next five innings for both teams. LSU and Arizona had impressive infield shutouts, specifically LSU’s Cece Cellura and Arizona’s Jalen Adams in the pitcher’s circle, allowing no runner on base to score.
However, things started to pick up in the sixth inning. Knowing that there were only two opportunities left up at bat, the Wildcats took that as a sense of urgency in the bottom of the sixth.
After an error from first baseman Tori Edwards dropping a pop fly in the infield and Sierra Daniel’s late throw to first base, Arizona had runners in scoring position.
Moments later, sophomore Grace Jenkins drove a pop out into right field for the Wildcats, giving baserunner Sydney Stewart the opportunity to score from third base and making it 2-1.
With momentum shifting towards the Wildcats, Cellura was able to maintain her composure in the pitcher’s circle, striking out sophomore Emma Cavanaugh to give the Tigers an answered prayer heading into the bottom of the sixth.
“I think when you’re playing the best teams in the country, they don’t go [away] easily, Head Coach Beth Torina said. “They have a ton of fight. They are who they are for a reason. I don’t think anyone is gonna go easy in that moment.”
As LSU was up by one, junior Ally Hutchins drew a walk with bases loaded, provided the Tigers an insurance run and took a 3-1 lead heading into the seventh.
As tensions were in and around Tiger Park, Franklin solidified the win for the Tigers with a catch in right field.
“These two games are probably as big as a win than any other,” Torina said. “The job is to win every game that we can. So, I think we’ll go out tomorrow and play them like it’s the only game on the schedule.
With this win, LSU is 11-3 all-time in its annual Teal Game and clinches the weekend-series against Arizona.
No.21 LSU (28-13, 6-9 SEC) will look to clinch a series sweep over No. 12 Arizona (29-11,11-4 BIG 12) in the series finale Sunday at 11 a.m. at Tiger Park.
