The marathon finally begins for the No. 4 LSU softball team today.
After breezing through their nonconference slate, the Tigers (21-2) begin conference play against rival No. 6 Alabama this weekend.
The Tigers and the Crimson Tide (21-2) face each other at 6 p.m. tonight, 5 p.m. on Saturday and end the series at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Tiger Park.
Nine of the top 25 teams in the USA Today/NFCA poll hail from the SEC.
Currently riding a 17-game win streak, many of the Tigers’ recognize the different level of play the Southeastern Conference brings.
“It’s tough,” sophomore outfielder Emily Griggs said. “The SEC is just like a mini College World Series. Every weekend we fight just like its war, just to win. It’ll be war.”
The last time these two teams met, the Tigers waved goodbye to the Crimson Tide in last season’s Women’s College Series, defeating them 5-3.
“We ended their season last year,” junior outfielder Bailey Landry said. “We know that’s going to bring a lot of fuel to the games this weekend.”
The two teams boast strong pitching staffs, both of which are ranked in the top 15 in the country in ERA.
LSU sophomore pitcher Carley Hoover and Alabama senior pitcher Alexis Osorio headline the pitching matchup this weekend.
Hoover (8-0), the ace of the Tiger pitching staff, is coming off a stellar performance last weekend, when she won three games, posting a spotless ERA and allowed only two hits in 13 2/3 innings of work.
The Clemson, South Carolina, native loves the competition of the SEC and is looking forward to the challenge of facing the Tide’s lineup.
“I’m just really excited to play a really good opponent,” Hoover said. “Once you get into conference play, there’s really no lulls in anyone’s lineup. It’s like a one through nine punch.”
On the Alabama side, Osorio (7-0) is one of the best pitchers in the country. The hurler is second on the team in ERA and has notched 73 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings pitched.
The LSU offense, which has been explosive this season, outscoring teams 182-38 and averaging 7.9 runs per game, will be looking to make contact against Osorio after preparing for her during practice the last few days.
“Their pitcher [Osorio] is as talented as any pitcher in the league,” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “She’s special. She’s somebody that we’re going to have to work to prepare for.”
On the defensive end for the Tigers, Hoover and company’s hands will be full with the Tide’s lineup.
The Tide’s one and two hitters, senior outfielder Haylie McCleney and sophomore
infielder Demi Turner, boast base percentages of .661 and .481, respectively. The two have also combined for 17 stolen bases on 20 attempts.
With that type of elite speed, senior catcher Kellsi Kloss said she will try to be more alert when they are on base.
“Their stats are ridiculous,” Kloss said. “Haylie McCleney is one of the best center fielders and leadoff hitters in the country. Demi Turner did a great job last year as a freshman. I’m expecting them to go on me. It keeps me a little bit more on my toes.”
Other than being conference foes, LSU players are pretty familiar with this weekend’s opponents.
Hoover and junior third baseman Sahvanna Jaquish are friends with a few girls on the Alabama squad. Jaquish and Osorio, who are both from California, played against one another in high school.
“It’s going to be a nice little rivalry,” Hoover said. “Hopefully we have the last word.”