For two consecutive nights, the LSU softball team proved its worth to the nation with competitive games against No. 1 Florida, including a 3-2 win on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Gators proved to everyone why they were so deserving of the No. 1 ranking.
Florida (28-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) scored seven runs through its first eight batters of the game, and LSU (18-10, 2-4 SEC) was never able to regroup, losing 10-2 in five innings. The loss marks the first time the Tigers lost by the mercy rule since March 1, 2013.
“Florida is an amazing team. They’re No. 1, and this is the reason why,” said junior centerfielder A.J. Andrews. “They’re a really good team and they find a way to win. We wanted to find a way to win too, and I think it just didn’t go our way.”
Florida got things started early, with lead-off hitter Kelsey Stewart crushing a home run to right center on the sixth pitch of the game. A single and another home run soon followed, and LSU freshman pitcher Kelsee Selman saw her day end after only four batters.
The weekend was not kind to Selman, who went only 0.2 IP while allowing four earned runs, three hits and two walks on only nine batters faced. These struggles come only a few weeks after Selman threw her first no-hitter and was awarded SEC Pitcher of the Week.
The barrage continued against senior pitcher Ashley Czechner. Four consecutive batters reached base, culminating in a three-run home run by Florida first baseman Taylor Schwarz. The Gators’ lead climbed to seven runs before the Tigers came to bat.
“Obviously, we didn’t make very good pitches [in the first inning],” said coach Beth Torina. “I think we fell behind in counts a lot and weren’t able to make quality pitches. … And to attack their hitters, we had to make some defensive pitches because of the counts we put ourselves in.”
After experiencing her shortest outing for a start of the season on Friday, Florida pitcher Delanie Gourley returned to her old self, pitching a complete game and allowing only five hits with seven strikeouts. The outing earned her the win, extending her grip for the best record on the Gators’ staff to 11-0.
Andrews was the lone bright spot for the Tigers, going 2-for-3 including a triple and two runs scored. Andrews continues to lead LSU in both batting average (.398) and hits (37).
LSU will hit the road again as it takes on Nicholls State Wednesday in Thibodaux, followed by a two-game road series against Oklahoma. Torina said although today’s outing was far from what they wanted, the Tigers proved something this weekend.
“I think the positive is we’ve shown that we can truly play with anybody in the country,” Torina said. “If that’s No. 1, we’re capable of playing No. 1 wherever they are.”