The No. 6 LSU softball team’s dramatic turnaround started with a players-only meeting, led by senior center fielder A.J. Andrews and other team leaders, following LSU’s loss against Missouri in Game 2 on Sunday.
“We came together, and our team leaders stepped up and showed us some motivation things,” said freshman pitcher Carley Hoover. “We really talked it out and discussed where we were going to be here on out. We all decided that we were going to be different beasts from here on out. … We came out and responded on Monday and again on Wednesday.”
The Tigers’ (43-8, 14-7 Southeastern Conference) renewed determination has churned out dominant performances at the plate and in the circle in their last outings.
LSU hopes to continue this play in an offensive battle royale with No. 8 Auburn in its final SEC series of this season, starting with Game 1 at 6 p.m. tonight at Tiger Park.
The Tigers were run-ruled for the first time this season against Missouri in Game 2, but they rebounded with back-to-back mercy-rule victories against Missouri on Monday and Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night.
LSU has outscored its opponents 20-0 and notched 11 extra base hits, including three homers, in its last two wins.
After allowing 20 walks and 13 earned runs during its three-game losing streak, LSU’s pitchers have allowed three walks while recording eight strikeouts and two shutouts in their last two wins.
LSU’s resurgence during the midweek gives the Tigers confidence heading into a crucial series against Auburn (44-8, 16-5 SEC), which comes into the series second in the conference standings.
“Without question they are in a better spot,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “Monday night, even though it came off three losses in a row, was a signature win for us. … They feel differently about it. It gave them some confidence they were missing. They’re going to continue that feeling heading into this weekend.”
Auburn rolls into Baton Rouge with one of the conference’s best offenses, stacked top-to-bottom with elite power hitters who will test LSU’s young pitching rotation in every at-bat.
As a lineup, Auburn leads the conference with a .368 batting average, 411 runs batted in and a .642 slugging percentage.
Junior infielder Emily Carsone, sophomore infielder Kasey Cooper and junior infielder Jade Rhodes have combined for 52 of Auburn’s 92 homers this season.
Despite the challenge Auburn’s lineup presents, LSU’s rotation has made its mark against elite power hitters this season at home. Against Oklahoma on March 20, Hoover shut down the Sooners’ marquee duo of senior infielders Lauren Chamberlain and Shelby Pendley, who went 0-6 at the plate.
Although the rotation has the talent to shut down hitters, LSU’s key to success will be its ability to cut down the walks and defensive errors plaguing the Tigers during their losing streak.
“Giving up extra bases and freebies against Auburn will really work against us with the type of offense they are bringing, the best offense in the SEC on paper,” Torina said.
At the plate, LSU looks to continue its recent success by depending on its combination of speed and power in the lineup.
The Tigers’ record-breaking power hitting pair of junior shortstop Bianka Bell and sophomore Sahvanna Jaquish have combined for 32 homers and 127 RBIs this season.
While Bell and Jaquish are major names, junior first baseman Sandra Simmons emerged as a clutch hitter for LSU this week. In the Tigers’ two wins this week, Simmons has gone 4-for-6 at the plate with one homer and five RBIs.
“Sandra is in a great spot and what a good time for it,” Torina said. “It’s so nice to see someone who has worked so hard have it pay off.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.