The Tiger softball team defeated Florida Atlantic 5-1 on the final day game of the LSU Invitational.

Sophomore catcher Sydney Springfield started the game off hot with a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning. The grand slam was her first home run of the season.

It was a terrific start for the Tiger offense. After going scoreless with Illinois State for nine innings and McNeese State six innings on Friday night, the offense cranked out 16 runs over the last two days.

“I just think that they are game changers,” Springfield said of her grand slam. “Just everyone in the stands and on the team had the same amount of energy. It’s the fight and passion that you want in a game.”

After team meetings earlier in the week, LSU coach Beth Torina had a high grade for her players for the execution of the game plan.

“I think that we’ve done what we’ve needed to do here,” Torina said. “I’ve liked how they competed and I liked how they played. I think it’s important to get these wins.”

LSU pitchers continued their domination in the circle throughout the weekend. 

After a 13-strikeout performance from sophomore Maribeth Gorsuch and six strikeouts from senior Carley Hoover, fellow senior Allie Walljasper struck out eight Owl hitters and 16 batters overall in the invitational.

“I feel really confident about [my pitchers],” Torina said. “We have a lot of good options, and I think that we are able to stay in ball game across the country with those guys.”

Even though Walljasper allowed two of her five hits in the top of the sixth inning, she made up for it by not allowing a single hit for the rest of the game.

“I was just trying to go out there and hit my spots and get the win for my team,” Walljasper said.

Junior shortstop Amber Serrett continued to dominate at the plate. Even though she committed an error to help the Owls score a run in the sixth inning, Serrett recorded an RBI in the bottom of the previous inning to send sophomore outfielder Aliyah Andrews home.

Sophomore first baseman Amanda Doyle also had great weekend at the plate as she recorded a double earlier in the game.

Prior to the LSU Invitational, Doyle led the team with a batting average of .465. Her average after the Invitational stands at a .443.

LSU returns to Tiger Park next week to kick off Southeastern Conference play against Auburn.

The advice for the underclassmen going into SEC play is to take things one moment at a time.

“This is what every little girl dreams of,” Springfield said. “It’s good to just take a deep breath and take it all in and have fun.”

LSU plays Auburn on Friday at 6 p.m.