After a successful stretch in the Mary Nutter Classic last weekend, the No. 22 LSU softball team returns to Tiger Park to play Harvard (2-3) and Jackson State (5-9) in the Purple and Gold Challenge.
After hitting eight home runs and beating two Top-15 teams in California last weekend, the Tigers hope to see some more homers launched over the fence.
“We’ve won some games with power and we’ve won some games more predominantly with speed. It’s so fun when both are working together,” said senior outfielder Jacee Blades.
The Tigers’ lineup has produced 49 hits and scored 33 runs in their last five games.
While the offensive firepower steals the show, the Tigers’ defense has been solid, with an average field percentage of .973, which ranks seventh in the Southeastern Conference.
Against Harvard, the LSU lineup will face junior pitcher Laura Ricciardone, who was named the Ivy League Pitcher of the Week in the first week of the season after her performance in Harvard’s first five games in the Florida Gulf Coast round robin tournament.
In the Florida Gulf Coast tournament, Ricciardone recorded a 1.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.
Junior infielder Emily Gusse leads Harvard in batting average, on base percentage and is tied for most hits. Gusse was recognized as the Ivy League Player of the Week the first week of the season.
The LSU bullpen averages a 2.44 ERA and is led by freshman pitcher Baylee Corbello, a nominee for SEC Freshman of the Week and SEC Pitcher of the Week last week.
In her 4-0 weekend, Corbello recorded 17 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched, culminating in a 2.04 ERA for the weekend.
“The wins last week over top teams give me all the confidence in the world to play anyone,” Corbello said.
In the second game, LSU will face Jackson State, which allowed 17 runs in its last two losses.
Jackson State is led offensively by senior infielder Lauren Aikens, who has 8 RBIs and 13 hits in her first 38 at-bats of the season.
Though Jackson State has only hit one homer this season, it has stolen 22 bases resulting in 34 runs.
The success of the Tigers’ pitchers makes the defense more determined to make plays to help out the pitchers, Blades said.
The Tigers start the action at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Tiger Park, where they look to continue their recent success.