The LSU softball team finished the 2014 Tiger Classic with their fourth straight win of the weekend against Central Arkansas 8-1.
The Tigers offense dominated the first inning by scoring four runs.
Junior outfielder A.J. Andrews sparked the rally with a combination of hitting and speed. She began the inning with a single to center field, then stole second while senior outfielder Jacee Blades was up to bat.
Blades drove Andrews in with a single and then scored on a single from sophomore second baseman Sandra Simmons.
Sophomore shortstop Bianka Bell hit her first home run of the 2014 season after hitting 12 home runs during her freshman season.
The four run lead allowed freshman pitcher Kelsee Selman to settle in during her second start for LSU. LSU head coach Beth Torina described the importance of the fast offensive start when starting a freshman pitcher.
“Especially for a freshman pitcher, I think what a relief that you don’t have to be perfect every pitch,” Torina said. “So, she did a nice job of settling in after that. Hats off to the offense for giving her a chance there.”
Selman rebounded from her difficult first start against Murray State (2-2) in which she allowed two runs and walked five batters.
“I had a different outlook.[Saturday] I was really nervous because that was the first start I’ve had officially here,” Selman said. “I was just really, really nervous and I was mentally focused on getting strikes and not worrying about what situation I’m in.”
Selman recorded 13 strikeouts in her dominating outing, allowing only four hits. She and fellow freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello have 39 strikeouts combined in their first two starts.
“It was important for us to get her back out there today,” Torina said.“We are very confident in her ability. I think she showed what she is capable of today.”
Corbello and Selman were not the only freshmen to make an impact against Central Arkansas. Catcher Sahvanna Jaquish hit the first home run of her collegiate career in the sixth inning.
Jaquish described the emotions surrounding her first home run.
“It felt so good,” Jaquish said, “I smiled at coach and she winked at me. I didn’t know it was out. I was rounding third and coach [Torina] was like you can slow down, it’s out. ”
Before the season, Torina said Jaquish would add power to the team that would complement Bell and sophomore Kellsi Kloss.
“We have a lot of power and a lot of speed throughout the whole lineup. So you never know what you are going to get from this lineup,” Jaquish said.
The Tigers will participate in the Tiger Invitational this weekend where they will face Pennsylvania State, George Washington and Northwestern.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Richard Redmann

LSU red-shirt senior Allison Falcon (32) slides into home plate Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014 during the Lady Tigers' 8-1 victory against Central Arkansas at Tiger Park.