After coming a pitch away from stealing a series from the top-ranked Gators a year ago, the No. 3 LSU softball team clinched a 2-1 series victory Sunday afternoon against No. 1 Florida with a 10-3 comeback win in Game 3 in Gainesville, Florida.
Although Florida (28-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) earned a 4-3 victory Friday night on a passed ball in Game 1, the Tigers’ (27-1, 5-1 SEC) offense came back with a vengeance in Game 2 and Game 3 to outscore the Gators, 24-13.
“It was a great weekend for our team,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “We had some question marks coming in here. We understand a lot more about ourselves now … We know a little bit better what we are made of.”
From start to finish, the Tigers had success against a Gator rotation that came into the series with the second-best ERA in the nation (0.76).
LSU out-hit Florida in every game of the series and 36-17 in the three games combined. In 20 of the 21 innings in the series, LSU had at least one batter reach base.
Sunday’s finale was no exception as the Tigers out-hit the Gators, 12-4.
The Tigers’ lineup excelled during the weekend, but LSU did not convert on scoring opportunities until the fifth, sixth and seventh innings in Game 3. Instead of relying on their offense to control the game early, the Tigers looked to sophomore pitcher Kelsee Selman (6-0).
Although she gave the Gators a head start in Game 3 when she gave up a three-run homer in the third inning, Selman shutdown Florida’s talented lineup in the remaining four innings, finishing her second complete game against an SEC opponent this season.
Selman notched a career-high 11 strikeouts in an SEC game and allowed only four hits in seven innings pitched. She recorded three three-up and three-down innings.
“[Selman] was phenomenal,” Torina said. “She did exactly what we needed her to do [in Game 3]. She was tough in the upper part of the zone. She did a really good job keeping us in it the whole way.”
In the top of the fifth, the Tigers’ lineup began clicking, starting with a bunt single by sophomore right fielder Bailey Landry, who has notched a hit in a program-record 20 straight games.
After junior shortstop Bianka Bell singled and sophomore third baseman Sahvanna Jaquish reached on an error to load the bases, junior first baseman Sandra Simmons cut the Gators’ lead to one run with a 2-RBI single down the right field line.
LSU’s lineup continued to heat up in the sixth and took the lead by scoring four runs on two hits.
Sophomore second baseman Constance Quinn led off with a single to left center and advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt by freshman left fielder Emily Griggs. Senior center fielder A.J. Andrews drew a walk, and both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
Landry drove in the tying run and reached first base with a fielder’s choice. Bell came to the plate with runners on the corners and one out.
Bell broke the game open with a three-run home run to extend the Tigers’ lead to 6-3 after the Gators replaced freshman pitcher Aleshia Ocasio (9-2) with senior Lauren Haeger (12-0).
“Wow, [Bell] is just in a great spot,” Torina said. “What a tough out for everybody. She does such a great job for us.”
The Tigers added four more insurance runs on three hits with two outs in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach.
After Andrews drove in a run with a single through the right side, Landry singled to left field to bring in LSU’s eighth run. Bell capped off the Tigers’ scoring with a double that drove in Andrews and Landry.
LSU’s series win marks first time the Tigers have beaten Florida since 2006 and the first win for the Tigers in Gainesville since 2005.
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.