The No. 3 LSU softball team started off the 2016 season winning four of five games in the annual Tiger Classic at Tiger Park.
Offense wasn’t a problem for LSU (4-1); the Tigers outscored their opponents 42-3 and earned all four of their wins by mercy rule.
“Offensive was probably the highlight,” said coach Beth Torina when talking about this weekend’s outcome. “It’s good that we understand some of our weaknesses, that way we can devise a plan going into a tough weekend.”
LSU began the weekend with a doubleheader sweep of Ohio State (3-1) and University of North Florida (0-5) on Friday. The LSU offense started out fast against the Buckeyes, scoring five runs in the first inning and never looking back, winning 9-0. In the second game, LSU got on the board first after senior third baseman Jenna Kreamer hit a grand slam in the second inning.
Kreamer wasn’t the only Tiger to hit a grand slam during the weekend. Junior third baseman Sahvanna Jaquish sparked LSU’s offense at the plate throughout the weekend, going 9-for-13 and hitting 10 RBIs, including a grand slam against UConn on Saturday.
“I had a three ball, no strike count and coach usually gives me a take sign, but this time she gave me a swing sign, I got super excited,” said Jaquish. “I knew right off the bat that it was [gone].”
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Carley Hoover (2-0) and freshman pitcher Sydney Smith (1-0) shined with a pair of shutouts while only allowing a combined four hits in 16 innings of work.
On Saturday night, Pacific University (3-2) handed LSU its lone loss, 2-1, as strong pitching held Torina’s lineup in check and. LSU struggled defensively with three errors.
Pacific got on the board first after freshman Sydney Lahners hit a ground-rule double to left field and tacked on one more run in the top of the fourth inning, scoring on a fielding error.
In the bottom of the seventh, LSU was in position for a two-out rally with Jaquish on second base and senior catcher Kellsi Kloss reaching first on a walk, but it fell short when Simmons grounded out.
Even after the loss, Torina will use this game as a learning experience going forward.
“I thought we had some great moments, I think we have a lot to learn and some things to do better coming out of this weekend,” said Torina. “It’s good that we understand some of our weaknesses, that way we can devise a plan going into a tough weekend.”
In its rematch with Pacific on Sunday, LSU’s offense showcased its speed in a 10-1 blowout win in five innings. LSU wound up winning by mercy rule in five innings.
LSU jumped ahead of Pacific early, scoring three runs in the first inning and controlled the rest of the way. In the circle, Hoover kept Pacific’s lineup, off balance allowing no runs, three hits and recording 11 strikeouts.
Despite Pacific cutting LSU’s lead to six runs on a wild pitch by Hoover in the top of the fifth inning, LSU had a chance to end the game early, and senior shortstop Bianka Bell took full advantage of it
With two runners on, Bellblasted a home run out of left center field extend, finishing the game a perfect 3-for-3 at plate and with four RBI’s.
“It’s overdue,” Bell said. “I wasn’t seeing the ball as well as I should’ve been. Today was definitely a good day for me.”
Earlier in the week Torina said that she planned on playing most of freshman and she did. All six freshman for LSU saw playing time this weekend. Torina raved about them was mostly satisfied with their play.
“I absolutely loved our freshmen this weekend,” Torina said. “They’re just ball players that understand the game. They want to be up there under pressure. They did a great job when called upon.”
LSU will now have a tough week ahead them with challenges coming against, No. 7 UCLA, No. 13 Arizona and No. 17 University of Central Florida in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.