The No. 5 LSU softball team’s bats has been on fire this season. Seven of their 13 wins have come off the mercy rule, averaging nearly 11 runs per game in those matchups.
But the Tigers’ (13-2) offense has overshadowed a commanding pitching staff.
Sophomore pitcher Carley Hoover has taken the role of ace for the Tigers. Fellow pitchers, sophomore Allie Walljasper, junior Baylee Corbello and freshman Sydney Smith, add much-needed depth to the rotation.
No matter who coach Beth Torina gives the ball to in the circle, the pitcher of the day performs well.
“This is what we expect from them,” Torina said. “They are that talented where they can have [dominant] performances, and it’s nice being able to utilize all of them. Getting them all some work, so as we get deeper into the season, they are all prepared.”
All four LSU pitchers have an earned run average below 2.00 and the group has a collective ERA of just 1.15. Walljasper’s 0.42 ERA leads the squad, but she is the only hurler with a loss, which is, in part, due to the ongoing defensive fielding issues for the team.
LSU’s opposition has crossed the plate eight times while Walljasper is in the circle, but just two of those runs have been earned. In her two losses, she has allowed only one earned run. Both runs scored in her 2-1 loss to Pacific on Feb. 13 were unearned.
The explosive Tiger offense has been relatively quiet in games Walljapser starts, averaging 2.25 runs per contest. In contrast, the Tigers average 9.27 runs in games she doesn’t.
“We’ve been having trouble, for whatever reason, getting her some runs,” said junior outfielder Bailey Landry. “We need to start giving her some support, because she’s been pitching her butt off.”
Hoover has arguably been the most outstanding performer for the Tigers, leading the team in wins with five and strikeouts with 48. In her most recent performance, the Clemson, South Carolina native tallied 15 strikeouts in a 5-3 win against Texas Tech Sunday.
The sophomore pitcher downplayed the outing and said she was not aware of the strikeout total.
“I’m not really worried about my numbers,” Hoover said. “We’re getting better every time we take the field, and that’s all that matters.”
Hoover and Walljasper have started the bulk of games in the circle, but Smith and Corbello’s talent give the coaching staff the ability to rest them for a game or two.
Corbello is the most tenured Tiger pitcher with three years under her belt, and it shows in her play.
Statistically, the junior has been the most difficult matchup for opposing hitters, holding them to a .214 batting average. She also has won and completed each of the three games started for LSU.
Smith is off to a solid start in her rookie campaign winning two of her three starts with the third yielding no decision. Her ERA is second on the team with a 0.50 and has allowed just one earned run.
LSU’s pitching will be key to a return trip to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. If the staff maintains the high level of play into Southeastern Conference matchups, the Tigers could be in for a special season, Torina said.
“I still feel we have a long way to go,” Torina said. “We have some moments of greatness and we have some moments that need serious improvement and need to be better. … Hopefully we can continue to get better and play our best softball nearer to the end of the season.”