It has been a long three years for LSU senior center fielder A.J. Andrews. Despite accumulating many individual accolades in her career as a Tiger, Andrews hasn’t returned to the Women’s College World Series since her freshman season in 2012.
Throughout the No. 8 LSU softball team’s historic 2015 campaign, Andrews has kept the Tigers focused on the ultimate prize — winning the first national title in program history – with a daily countdown to the national championship, or in her words the “natty.”
Andrews’ dream is within reach as the Tigers (48-12) host their first NCAA Super Regional in program history against a familiar foe – No. 16 Arizona, starting with Game 1 at 2 p.m. today at Tiger Park.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Andrews said. “This is the last step to the Women’s College World Series. Arizona is the one who kicked us out last year, so I’m getting ready to enjoy the chance to kick them out.”
After Arizona eliminated LSU in the 2014 NCAA Tucson Regional, the Tigers toppled then-No. 13 Arizona, 4-3, in their first signature win of 2015 in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Feb. 20.
Despite LSU’s early win this season, both teams have evolved from the squads that took the field in Palm Springs, California, in February.
The Wildcats (40-17) roll into Baton Rouge with one of the nation’s top power offenses, averaging 1.76 home runs and 7.73 runs per game. Senior catcher Chelsea Goodacre and sophomore utility player Katiyana Mauga have combined for 49 of Arizona’s 102 homers this season.
Although Arizona’s lineup has dominated with the long ball this season, the Wildcats will change their approach at the plate to adjust to conditions at Tiger Park that are not conducive to their typical power-hitting game.
“The wind usually blows into this ball park, so it definitely has an effect on the long ball,” said Arizona coach Mike Candrea. “Our goal here is really to go back to playing the game on the ground, not trying to jack balls out of here. If you hit one out so be it, but our plan is not to live and die with the home run.”
In the seven games of the Baton Rouge Regional last weekend, the four teams totaled only two homers against the wind compared with the 16 home runs hit during the Southeastern Conference Tournament held in Tiger Park on May 6-9.
Along with battling the conditions, the Wildcats will face LSU’s elite rotation spearheaded by First Team All-SEC freshman pitcher Carley Hoover (16-5), who’s dominance in the circle secured the Tigers’ regional win.
After allowing the only run in a 1-0 loss against Arizona State on Day 2 of the regional, Hoover shut out opponents in her next three outings while tallying nine strikeouts and allowing only three walks in 10 1/3 innings pitched.
Heading into the super regional matchup against Arizona, Hoover is determined to continue her success by trusting her preparation and her experience against the Wildcats’ lineup earlier in the season.
“I’ve already seen their lineup once this year, and they’ve already seen me once this year – granted that was the beginning of the year, and we were just started to get going,” Hoover said. “We’ve done our jobs. We’ve scouted. They’ve scouted. We both pretty much know what we are going up against.”
At the plate, sophomore third baseman Sahvanna Jaquish and junior shortstop Bianka Bell re-emerged as clutch hitters for the Tigers in the regional and aim to carry this momentum into the super regional.
In an elimination game against Nebraska, Jaquish drove in the crucial insurance run in the 10th inning, which sealed the Tigers’ 3-2 win. Jaquish’s success against the Huskers translated into her best performance of the weekend against Arizona State, going 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI.
Despite struggling at the plate for most of the regional, Bell shined in the decisive game of the regional championship by rebounding from a defensive error with a walk-off RBI single that sealed the regional win with a 4-3 win against Arizona State.
“She played such great defense that she did so much for us and kept us in ball games,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “ It’ s really fitting to me that she gets the big hit at the end, not just for her, but for the team. She’s been our offensive leader all season long.”
The Tigers will continue the Baton Rouge Super Regional with Game 2 at 4 p.m. on Sunday and if necessary with Game 3 at 7 p.m. on Sunday.