A sixth-inning RBI double hung over No. 18 LSU softball as it dropped the final game of its series versus No. 12 Arizona 4-2.
Despite clinching the series on Saturday with another upset win over the top-15 team, LSU couldn’t hang on to an early 2-0 lead on Sunday and suddenly found itself behind the Wildcats in the final game.
This isn’t the first time LSU has dropped the final game of a series. In its conference matchup against Mizzou last weekend, the Tigers claimed the first two games to win the series overall but dropped the final game and spoiled hopes for a sweep.
“[Arizona is] one of the best offenses in the country,” head coach Beth Torina said to SEC Network during Sunday’s game. “They’ve done such a great job this year of just having a balanced group. They have speed, they have power, they hit for average, they can do it all. We gotta just keep scoring.”
Paytn Monticelli began in the circle for the Tigers in the series finale, and her first three innings pitched were flawless. Monticelli concluded the afternoon, pitching five innings with four strikeouts, only allowing one run, two hits and three walks. Monticelli would be charged for Sunday’s loss.
The third inning offense for the Tigers quickly came around to haunt Arizona starting pitcher Jenae Berry in the circle. Ally Hutchins began the inning with a single through the left before an Avery Hodge sacrifice bunt allowed Hutchins to advance to second.
Kylee Edwards drove in an RBI single to bring Hutchins home and keep the bases loaded for LSU with only one away in the inning. Alix Franklin was then hit by a pitch, which drove in another run for the Tigers before Berry was relieved by Jalen Adams, who started in Game 2.
In the fourth, Arizona catcher Sydney Stewart clobbered a pitch by Monticelli to left field to get one on the board for the Wildcats and come within one of LSU. Luckily for Monticelli, the next two batters quickly went down in a foul out to left and a groundout right back to the senior pitcher.
LSU’s defense throughout the series had been quick to every ball hit by the opposing team, with only four defensive errors across the entire weekend matchup.
“I trust the people behind me,” junior pitcher Cece Cellura said after the team’s win Saturday. “They work so hard. I wish y’all could see them at practice. They’re working their tails off. I just know, no matter what, they’re going to get the next out.”
Sophomore ace Jayden Heavener relieved Monticelli in the sixth after Regan Shockey reached base on a throwing error and Sydney Stewart was walked.
On Heavener’s second pitch thrown, right fielder Tele Jennings grounded out right back to her, but an attempt at a double play to get Shockey out at home was unsuccessful. The center fielder got her hand on the plate just before catcher Maei Bergeron’s tag, allowing Arizona to tie the ballgame.
Heavener then walked third baseman Jenna Sniffen before a few defensive changes were made for LSU. Bergeron, who was visibly uncomfortable after the previous play at home, was substituted for Lorenz behind the plate. Maddox McKee entered the game to take over for Lorenz in left.
Designated hitter Emma Kavanagh drove in an RBI double on Heavener’s ninth pitch that gave the Tigers some trouble. Both Shockey and Sniffen safely crossed home plate to give Arizona its first lead of the entire series, now up 4-2.
Heavener was replaced by Cellura with two away, and the junior recorded a strikeout for the final out to get out of the seventh inning.
The nine, one and two hitters were due up for LSU for its last chance to get back in the game. Hodge grounded out to Adams to start the inning, then Lassiter singled to left to reach base and gave Tiger fans the momentum they hoped for. Daniel flew out to right for the second out of the inning.
Edwards was the last hope to stay alive and fell behind on the count in the first two pitches she saw. She then struck out swinging to end the game.
Despite the loss, Torina looks ahead to the program’s next matchup and is just lucky for the support at Tiger Park during the special weekend, she said.
“There’s a lot of gratitude today for this community,” Torina said. “For all those who came and supported and wore the teal. Just so many cool things about this place and this program.”
LSU will take on UL-Lafayette Tuesday in a mid-week matchup beginning at 6 p.m.
