The No. 4 LSU softball team won its third game of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic comfortably defeating University of California Santa Barbara, 5-2, Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers’ (6-2) offense was initially held down by the Gauchos (3-6) pitching but slowly run-by-run began to build a lead.
Freshman infielder Shemiah Sanchez opened up the scoring on a RBI single in the bottom of the second. UCSB struck back a few innings later in the top of the fifth innings to tie the game at 1-1.
LSU wasted no time taking to lead back.
In the bottom half of the fifth inning, senior shortstop Bianka Bell recorded a RBI-single giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Senior first baseman Sandra Simmons extended the lead with a sacrifice fly. A poor throw to first then allowed two more runs to cross home opening up the advantage to 5-1.
The game then resumed its pitchers’ duel status until the Gauchos added a consolation run in the top of the seventh inning to produce the final 5-2 result.
LSU will face No. 15 University of Central Florida in the second half of Saturday’s doubleheader. The Golden Knights (4-5) are looking to end a five-game skid after opening the season 4-0.
UCF is coming off a loss to No. 9 Arizona 19-4 in six innings in the first half of its doubleheader on Saturday.