The No. 4 LSU softball team opened up its season winning four of five games in the annual Tiger Classic.
After trailing early, the Tigers (4-1) came from behind to defeat Oklahoma State, 5-2 to close out the tournament.
A two-run homer from the Cowgirls put LSU behind early. The Tigers would respond with a two-RBI double from freshman first baseman Sydney Springfield, tying the ballgame at 2-2.
Following Springfield’s hit, freshman infielder Doyle hit an RBI double giving LSU a 3-2 lead.
A two-RBI double from senior catcher Sahvanna Jaquish in the sixth, secured the lead for the Tigers as they headed to the final inning. Sophomore pitcher Sydney Smith struck out four Cowgirls and finished the game with ease after giving a home run in the first.
“You saw us come back from deficits twice so I think that is going to be something you will see out of us,” Jaquish said. “Not the deficits, but you are going to see us fight a lot this year.”
Many new faces were seen on the field this weekend as coach Beth Torina tried to figure out what would work best for the young team.
Springfield and Doyle went back and forth at first base, but also contributed offensively for the Tigers.
Springfield had eight hits in five games and Doyle had six hits and four RBIs.
Freshman outfielder Aliyah Andrews saw action in the outfield and made an impressive diving catch in her first start at left field against Penn State Friday night.
“I know we need Aliyah Andrews out there at defense at the end of every game or if the game is in a tight situation,” Torina said.
Freshman second baseman Nicky Dawson was given the starting nod against Penn State on Saturday. Torina took advantage of Dawson’s speed as well putting her on the field as a pinch runner in scoring positions.
Each game was so different from the last which “opened up a lot of weaknesses,” Torina said.
Torina said the team did a great job defensively, but they need to work on finding consistency in the offense.
Sophomore third baseman Shemiah Sanchez quickly adjusted to her new role as starting third baseman and was “impressed” with Sanchez this weekend.
“I was so impressed with her,” Torina said. “I think Shemiah has done such a great job. A couple of the plays she made were not easy. Not to mention her approach at the plate and not even the fact that she’s getting hits, she’s having really intelligent conversations and she has bought into everything we’ve asked her to do.”
In the opening day of the tournament, the Tigers split the day with two very contrasting performances.
LSU only needed five innings to defeat Oklahoma State in the first game as they cruised to a 14-2 win. The Tigers scored all their runs in the first three innings, scoring seven in the second inning alone.
Senior outfielder Bailey Landry and junior outfielder Emily Griggs both went 3-for-3 at the plate.
Junior outfielder Elyse Thornhill had three RBIs and went 2-for-4. Junior pitcher Allie Walljasper delivered for the Tigers with five strikeouts on 94 pitches.
Tables turned in the second game against Penn State. The Nittany Lions scored five runs in the third and the Tigers weren’t able to recover, as Penn State went on to win 7-3.
The next day, the Tigers battled against McNeese State.
LSU got out to an early lead with RBI singles from Doyle and Springfield. After the first inning, the Tigers struggled offensively and McNeese State came back in the third to take a 3-2 lead.
The sixth inning brought life back into the Tigers as Walljasper stepped up to the plate and nailed a double down the left field line to score Andrews.
Sanchez ended the contest with a single to right center in the bottom of the seventh giving the Tigers a 4-3 come from behind win.
LSU would only need another five innings to defeat Penn State to close out the day.
The offense fell into place as the Tigers scored 14 runs on 14 hits and won 14-2.
The Tigers take the field again Wednesday at home against Louisiana Tech.
