After falling to No. 23 Arizona State 1-0 Saturday, the No. 8 LSU softball team rebounded with a 5-0 victory in rematch against the Sun Devils on Sunday in the Baton Rouge Regional final, forcing a second game to decide the regional champion.
The Tigers (47-12) will face Arizona State (36-21) in Game 2 of the Baton Rouge Regional final with first pitch set for 3:15 p.m. in Tiger Park.
Although the Tigers’ lineup struggled against freshman pitcher Breanna Macha (18-12) Saturday, LSU rolled at the plate early behind a complete game shutout performance by freshman pitcher Carley Hoover (15-5).
Despite managing just four hits against Macha on Saturday, LSU’s lineup rolled in the top of the first by ripping off back-to-back hits and driving in a run.
Senior center fielder A.J. Andrews led off with single to right field. Sophomore right fielder Bailey Landry continued the rally with a bunt single.
After junior shortstop Bianka Bell grounded out and junior catcher Kellsi Kloss struck out swinging, sophomore third baseman Sahvanna Jaquish came to the plate with two runners on scoring postion and two outs.
On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Jaquish drove in her 71 RBI of the season to get LSU on the board and take the LSU season RBI lead.
In the third, LSU took advantage of a fielding error by senior third baseman Haley Steele to drive in another run.
After driving in a run in the sixth with a single, sophomore designated player Constance Quinn blew the game open with a 2-RBI double with the bases loaded, extending LSU’s lead at 5-0.
While LSU made plays at the plate, Hoover made statement in the circle by retiring nine-straight batters from the fourth to the sixth inning. She finished with eight strikeouts and only three walks allowed.
No. 8 LSU defeats Arizona State, 5-0, forcing decisive game to decide NCAA Regional champion
By Morgan Prewitt
May 17, 2015
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