The No. 7 LSU softball team’s powerful lineup sparked the Tigers to a 9-0 victory against Stephen F. Austin in game one of Friday night’s doubleheader in the Purple & Gold Challenge in Tiger Park.
Junior shortstop Bianka Bell, junior designated player Kellsi Kloss and sophomore catcher Sahvanna Jaquish each hit home runs to fuel the Tigers’ nine runs on nine hits. The win extended the best start in program history to 17 straight wins.
After LSU scored two runs off Kloss’ first triple of the season in the bottom of the first, Bell led off the bottom of the third inning with a solo home run to center field, tying the LSU career home run record with 33.
Kloss came up third in the inning and slammed home her second of the season to center, extending the Tigers’ lead to 4-0. After the Tigers added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, Jaquish capped off LSU’s home run derby with a 3-run shot to left to secure LSU the win by mercy rule.
Sophomore pitcher Baylee Corbello (5-0) earned her third complete game of the season. In five innings pitched, Corbello allowed only three hits while striking out nine and allowing four walks.